Pavel Datsyuk scored on Detroit's first shot of the game and again eight seconds into the middle stanza as the Red Wings beat the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 1 of the teams' opening round playoff series, 3-2.
Red Wings vs. Lightning Game 1 results: Detroit takes down Tampa Bay, 3-2
Pavel Datsyuk shined as the Red Wings started the 2015 playoffs with a crucial victory.
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Luke Glendening converted on a shorthanded attempt with 14:10 remaining the third period for what proved to be the game winner. Tampa Bay received a power play with 12 seconds left in regulation, but was unable to force overtime.
Datsyuk, who notched his 40th and 41st career postseason tallies, was named the second star for his efforts.
GIF: Datsyuk's 2nd goal pic.twitter.com/nkEIyyBEPj
— Stephanie Vail (@myregularface) April 17, 2015
Brian Boyle got Tampa on the board with 5:28 left in the first on a short-handed mark; Nikita Nesterov added another goal for the Bolts in the third, but Detroit netminder Petr Mrazek, who turned aside 44 of 46 shots faced, stood tall and prevented a Tampa Bay comeback.
Lightning goaltender Ben Bishop, who didn't fare particularly well during the regular season, simply wasn't good enough. Though his defense did a great job containing Detroit's attack, the 28-year-old surrendered two goals on 10 shots through the first 40 minutes. The Red Wings mustered only three shots on goal in the opening frame and finished with just 14.
Tampa Bay’s power play has been abysmal all year, and Thursday was no exception: The Bolts were unable to score on any of their seven man-advantage opportunities -- a failure that proved costly in a one-goal defeat.
The two teams will resume play Saturday at Amalie Arena at 3 p.m. ET.
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