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Lightning seeks at least a split in Detroit

 
Lightning goalie Ben Bishop hangs on for a save in the first period of Game 2, in which Tampa Bay evened its series against Detroit with a 5-1 victory.
Lightning goalie Ben Bishop hangs on for a save in the first period of Game 2, in which Tampa Bay evened its series against Detroit with a 5-1 victory.
Published April 21, 2015

DETROIT — The Lightning is feeling pretty good after the first two games of its first-round series with the Red Wings.

It has been arguably the better team in both, controlling play for large portions, dictating the action with its speed.

But with a 5-1 victory Saturday clinching just a split at home, Tampa Bay still needs to steal at least one win on the road to take this best-of-seven series.

And the Lightning knows it won't be an easy task at Joe Louis Arena for tonight's Game 3. General manager Steve Yzerman, the iconic former Detroit captain, believes the Red Wings will "come out flying."

"This is a tough team we're playing against," Tampa Bay captain Steven Stamkos said. "Just because of the (5-1) score, it doesn't mean they're going to give us the series. We expect a big push from them, and it's going to be a competitive series."

Stamkos said the Lightning has to prove it can translate its recent play on the road. The Lightning was one of the league's best home teams this season, with a franchise-record 32 wins at Amalie Arena, but was a pedestrian 18-16-7 away. But the Lightning gained confidence as the season wore on, with wins in Montreal, Anaheim, San Jose and even Detroit. Of the Lightning's four all-time wins at Joe Louis, three have come in the past two seasons.

"We've won in some pretty hectic buildings against some very good teams," Cooper said. "That is proving we can win anywhere."

"The Joe" is one of the oldest arenas in the league (opened in 1979), steeped in history with Stanley Cups. And coach Mike Babcock, who said he felt Detroit made a big improvement in Game 2 over Game 1, said the Red Wings' best has yet to come.

"We think we're a much better team than we've shown thus far," Babcock said.

Detroit will get a boost from the return of Justin Abdelkader (hand), a 6-foot-2 wing with 23 goals who is a net front presence on the power play.

"If you're going to pick their top three players this year, I'd be shocked if he wasn't in it," Cooper said. "He's somebody you've got to be aware of when he's on the ice."

Abdelakder's returns also lets Babcock split up stars Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk, giving him a deeper lineup up the middle. With the home team having the last change, Detroit can take advantage of matchups. Cooper liked putting Valtteri Filppula's line on Zetterberg and Datsyuk in the first two games, but admits he'll have to be more savvy on the road.

"One of the luxuries we had all year is being four lines deep," Cooper said. "If you have a matchup you don't entirely like, you're not as worried about it, because we have a group of forwards that I think can play against any line."

The Lightning split two games in Detroit this season, losing 4-0 March 28 in the most recent matchup there. In that game, Tampa Bay played shorthanded, losing defenseman Jason Garrison (upper body) early in the first period and defenseman Andrej Sustr (upper body) later. Veteran wing Ryan Callahan said Tampa Bay just needs to replicate the effort and intensity it displayed in the first two games of the series. Callahan, Morrow and center Brian Boyle helped set a tone in a Game 2 win.

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"Even though our road record hasn't been as good as it has to be this year, it's the playoffs now so it starts from zero," defenseman Victor Hedman said. "Hopefully we can build some momentum."

And regain control of the series.

Contact Joe Smith at joesmith@tampabay.com. Follow @TBTimes_JSmith.