Tampa Bay Lightning Eliminate Detroit Red Wings With 4-1 Series Win

In a hard fought game, the defending Eastern Conference champions Tampa Bay Lightning eliminated the Detroit Red Wings 4-1 with a 1-0 win.

The Red Wings applied pressure to Lightning goalie Ben Bishop, but he would not relent. He stopped at least three breakaways and helped his team kill four penalties, including one 5-on-3.

“I just wanted to find a way to win,” he explained. “The guys have done a good job scoring goals all series for me, scoring three goals every game we won. It was my turn tonight. I was very relieved to see that goal go in. It was kind of a fluky play there, but we’ll take it.”

DET/TBL game in a nutshell pic.twitter.com/Cci5LFsCxx

— steph (@myregularface) April 22, 2016

The game remained 0-0 into the third and it looked like overtime until Red Wings goalie Petr Mrazek made the fatal mistake of leaving his net.

The goal that may have killed the Wings. Tough way to go out. pic.twitter.com/V1OzidixKU

— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) April 22, 2016

Mrazek attempted to clear the puck, but Lightning forward Ryan Callahan intercepted the puck and passed it to Alex Killorn. Mrazek could not get back into position and Killorn gave the Lightning a 1-0 lead with two minuted left in the game.

celebration pic.twitter.com/xPEOjDK3FZ

— steph (@myregularface) April 22, 2016

“I was trying to rush [Mrazek],” said Callahan. “I know the ice isn’t very good at the end of the period and the puck is on the boards, so it was an unfortunate bounce for him and fortunate bounce for us. [Killorn] is going to the net based on the forecheck and how it goes, so I throw it there and he does a great job of getting position on the [defense].”

It is the second year in a row the Lightning defeated the Red Wings in the first round.

Cooper and Datsyuk pic.twitter.com/iOkBo6zOgH

— steph (@myregularface) April 22, 2016

Datsyuk and Callahan pic.twitter.com/NkR7DPutlM

— steph (@myregularface) April 22, 2016

Bishop and Datsyuk pic.twitter.com/iDTNpR6P6a

— steph (@myregularface) April 22, 2016

Now the Red Wings might have to prep for a future without Russian superstar Pavel Datsyuk. He remained mum about possible retirement after the game.

“I’m not thinking about two days or how many days,” he said. “I need a little bit cool down and emotions go out and start thinking about it more.”

The Lightning will face the New York Islanders or Florida Panthers in the second round.