Lightning get back to basics in win over Red Wings

Eduardo A. Encina, Tampa Bay Times on Mar 12, 2026

Published in Hockey

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TAMPA, Fla. — The Lightning’s game against the Red Wings Thursday night at Benchmark International Arena had added meaning. Not only were they desperate to get back to their winning ways after losing six of their previous seven, they needed points against a Red Wings team that was one of several nipping at their heels in the Atlantic Division.

During their recent struggles, the Lightning’s defensive problems were evident — they allowed an average of five goals over their previous seven games — so getting back to being hard to play against was where they wanted to start.

And while their game Thursday was by no means perfect, it was a step forward. Their 4-1 win, combined with the Sabres’ loss to the Capitals, moved the Lightning within two points of the division lead. They’re now two points ahead of third-place Montreal and five ahead of fourth-place Detroit.

Gage Goncalves scored twice on tips from in front of the net, including the game winner 95 seconds into the third period. He has three goals in his two games back since missing four with a hip injury following a cross-check from Buffalo’s Rasmus Dahlin on Feb. 28.

Goncalves has jumped back into a top-six role, skating Thursday with Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov, and he deflected Point’s slap shot from the top of the right circle 1:35 into the third period to give the Lightning a 2-0 lead. His tip-in with 3:38 left, also off a Point shot from distance, put the Lightning up 3-1.

The presence of veteran forward Corey Perry, who was acquired from the Kings at the trade deadline, was evident. Perry has points in three of his first four games with the Lightning.