The Lightning Come Home to Face the Red Wings in Critical Game

Another must win for Tampa in chase for home ice

Apr 11, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Brandon Hagel (38) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against the Boston Bruins during the third period at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images / Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

The Tampa Bay Lightning got a crucial win on the last game of their road trip against the Boston Bruins. The win keeps the Lightning in contention for first in the Atlantic --although they no longer control their own destiny-- and just need to win their last two games at home to lock up the Atlantic's 2 seed and getting home ice.

So next for the Lightning is a two game homestand, beginning with a matchup against the Detroit Red Wings. The Lightning have a 2-1 series lead on the Red Wings this season with their lone loss coming in Detroit in a 2-1 overtime thriller.

More than anything regarding seeding, results, and wins and losses. The Lightning need to get healthy, and find their identity, something they didn't have in their losses to Buffalo and Ottawa on the road.

Today’s #GoBolts looks at morning skate:

Goncalves-Cirelli-Kucherov
Guentzel-Point-Perry
Girgensons-Paul-Gourde
Sabourin-Geekie-Bjorkstrand
James

Moser-Carlile
D’Astous-Lilleberg
McDonagh-Cernak
Santini-Raddysh
Crozier

Vasilevskiy
Johansson
Konin pic.twitter.com/sfx3xO7TKG

— Benjamin Pierce (@BenjaminJReport) April 13, 2026

John Cooper on their playoff positioning following Saturday's victory"

"We understand where we're slotted in here and probably need some help, but we do have a chance to get home ice," Cooper said. "So there's still something to play for."

Projected Goalies

Andrei Vasilevskiy- Andrei Vasilevskiy started all three contests for the Lightning, going 2-0-1 with a .935 save percentage and 1.96 goals against average

John Gibson- Gibson is 77/86 against the Lightning in goal this season and is third in the NHL with four shutouts.

Injury Report

Tampa Bay Lightning:

• Zemgus Girgensons — Day-to-day
• Darren Raddysh — Day-to-day
• Victor Hedman — Injured Reserve (IR-LT)
• Maxwell Crozier — Injured Reserve (IR-LT)
• Dominic James — Out 8–10 weeks (leg surgery)

Detroit Red Wings:

• Mason Appleton — Day-to-day

A full morning skate for the #GoBolts today 🏒

Dominic James, Darren Raddysh & Zemgus Girgensons are back out there.

Brandon Hagel is not on the ice.

— Diandra Loux (@Diandra_loux) April 13, 2026

The Red Wings are officially eliminated from playoff contention for the 10th straight season, a streak that doesn't matchup with the team's illustrious history, but it could give the Bolts a slight advantage as many of the Red Wings players seemed checked out after their last loss where they were booed off of their home ice.

Tampa is getting closer to full strength and should have a playoff atmosphere at home while their super star Nikita Kucherov continues to strengthen his MVP case, something that his teammates can help with two more Lightning victories.

At home against Detroit is one the Lightning can't drop, especially as they get healthy, but they can't take Detroit lightly. A healthy Red Wings team is still a dangerous one despite not being a playoff squad, and the Lightning need their offense to step back up on their home ice.

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