Postgame: Lightning @ Red Wings – Game 3

So after the first two games I asked whether or not the Lightning were afraid of the Red Wings. After Game Three, they should be.

Whether it was coming home to Joe Louis Arena, the lineup changes, a general wakeup call, or something else, Detroit seemingly flipped a switch. They didn’t look quite as dangerous as I’d like offensively but defensively they shut down Tampa’s top line – a line that has given them fits for two years – and exposed their lack of depth. Aided by the fact that Petr Mrazek had a pretty great game in his return to the crease.

And they needed to. It was a virtual must-win. As is Game Four on Tuesday, with the Wings needing to hold serve.