The Tampa Bay Lightning took a 2-0 series lead over the Detroit Red Wings in a very convincing game, but the real story is the massive brawl that took place with less than a minute in the game.
Here are the penalties:
Alex Killorn gave the Lightning the 5-2 lead with an empty-net goal.
Minutes later, Red Wings forward Brad Richards whacked Andrewj Sustr’s legs, which caused a scuffle between them in front of the Lightning net.
Then Lightning defenseman Nikita Nesterov came in to defend his teammate, causing all hell to break loose. Red Wings forward Justin Abdelkader flew in and bashed Lightning forward Mike Blunden’s face into the ice.
Blunden needed nine stitches after the game.
The Red Wings started strong in the first period, but quickly ran out of gas. The Lightning took advantage of the depletion and capitalized. Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard tried to keep his team in the game, but with no help in front he could only do so much.
The Red Wings outshot the Lightning, but the players made them sloppy while the Lightning made quality shots. Plus, it did not help that the Red Wings decent players ended up in the penalty box.
“We threw pucks at [Bishop] and had some chances [Friday],” explained Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg. “He’s a big goalie and you just have to get in front of him. But we were in the box too much again. Even though we got one on the [power play], we need to be better there. Otherwise it’s a tight game again.”
Tyler Johnson scored two goals and assisted on two other goals.
“I play with great players and I’m happy they we are clicking right now,” said the Lightning forward. “It’s the playoffs. You have to fight for your space and those were tough passes to set me up and those guys are able to make them.”
The teams play Game 3 on Sunday at 7 p.m. Eastern on CNBC.