NHL : Lightning go for Season Sweep Over Red Wings

The Tampa Bay Lightning (37-29-9) have dominated the Detroit Red Wings this season. The Bolts defeated Detroit in each of their previous four matchups, and will attempt to complete the sweep this Thursday in Tampa (7:30 PM ET on FS-D). The Lightning are 7-3 over their last 10 games and sit one point behind the Boston Bruins for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Right winger Nikita Kucherov is enjoying the best offensive season of his career. He’s notched 38 goals and 40 assists through 67 games. Down the stretch, he’s managed to turn up that production even further, scoring 7 goals and 2 assists over his past four games. With scoring like that, Tampa seems poised to be in the post-season this spring.

The Detroit Red Wings (31-32-12), on the other hand, are preparing for a summer of rebuilding. For the first time in 25 years, the Wings will not punch a ticket to the playoffs. Sitting second last in the Eastern Conference with only one player having scored more than 20 goals this season, the Wings will look to next season to start anew.

NHL Odds: Lightning on a Run, while Detroit Limps to the Finish

The last time the Detroit Red Wings missed the playoffs, Vanilla Ice reigned supreme and Sydney Crosby was learning his ABCs. That streak will come to an end this spring, as the rebuilding Wings (31-32-12) sit 10 points out of a playoff spot with only seven games to play.

The Tampa Bay Lightning (37-29-9) have been doing everything possible to make a fourth straight appearance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Without star centre Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov (38 goals, 40 assists) and Victor Hedman (15 goals, 47 assists) have stepped up and will look to continue their strong play against the Wings. Game time is 7:30 PM ET on FS-D.