Red Wings: Bertuzzi Scores Four in 7-6 Overtime Loss to Lightning

Tyler Bertuzzi scored four goals in the Detroit Red Wings overtime loss against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Wings blew a three point lead in the third period.

First Period

The Red Wings had a four minute power play three minutes into the first, but they struggled to gain zone entry, never really finding any solid offensive rhythm in the offensive zone. A few minutes later, Givani Smith was called for hooking, and the penalty kill was five its first test. They looked solid against a strong Lightning power play, never letting them gain good rhythm.

With six minutes left in the third, Captain Dylan Larkin scored the first goal of the 2021 season, jamming a loose puck in the crease that trickled past Andrei Vasilevskiy.

The lightning turned up the pressure in the end, putting some heavy pressure on Detroit’s defense, but Alex Nedeljkovic ensured that the Red Wings went to the locker room with a one point lead.

Second Period

Tyler Bertuzzi’s first goal of the night was an early candidate for goal of the year, as he weaved through two defenders and shot a wrister past Vasilevskiy.

A Tampa Bay delay of game penalty led to another power play for the Red Wings. A massive fight broke out at the front of the net after Pius Suter took a few chops at the puck after a Vasilevskiy save.After the Red Wings power play ended, Bertuzzi scored his second straight, jamming in a missed shot from Adam Erne to score his second of the night.

Seconds after, Tampa Bay finally got on the board, as Ondrej Palat finished on a pass from Victor Heidman.

The game got nasty a few minutes late. After a dirty hit from Mathieu Joesph threw Larkin headfirst into the boards, the captain responded by launching a right hand into Joseph’s face. Larkin was ejected and a couple penalties were handed out to the Lightning. After the dust settled, the Red Wings were given a four-on-three power play opportunity. Bertuzzi completed his hat trick, finishing on a tic-tac-toe power play sequencing from Robby Fabbri and Lucas Raymond

Tampa Bay would not go down without a fight. Steven Stamkos blasted two one-timers (both on the power play) to chop the lead to two to end the second half.

Third Period

Bertuzzi decided to add to his hat trick in the third, zipping out of the penalty box, collecting a loose puck behind the net, moving to the front and ripping it past Vasilevskiy.

Vladislav Namestnikov also joined the scoring party, sniping the top-left of the net to extend the lead to three points, 6-3.

Rasmussen was crosschecked headfirst into the boards and tried to get some retribution after the whistle, keeping things chippy. The Red Wings were given a power play, but failed to cash in. A tripping call on Detroit then gave Tampa Bay their own shot at the man advantage.

Tampa Bay pulled their goalie with four minutes left; combined with a man advantage, it was a six-on-four. The Lightning pulled within one of the Wings after a power play goal. Again, they pulled Vasilevskiy and tied the game, 6-6.

Tampa Bay controlled the entirety of overtime, refusing to let Detroit have a chance to touch the puck. The Lightning scored halfway through overtime, securing their first victory of the season. The Red Wings stay home this Saturday, facing off against the Vancouver Canucks at 7 p.m.