The Detroit Red Wings and Tampa Bay Lightning meet up tonight in Game 2 of their NHL Playoffs series in the opening round. The game is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on CNBC. Currently the betting odds for the game have the Lightning favored to pick up the victory in this one at home.

The Red Wings had several chances to tie the game in the third period of Game 1 Wednesday. Detroit put several shots on net in close proximity to the net, but were unable to find the equalizer. Now, down 1-0 in the series, Detroit will look to find a way to pick up a win in this one tonight.

Stealing a game on the road in the first two games can really give the lower seed a shot at winning the series. A Red Wings victory here in the second game would send them back to Hockeytown with a chance to take a strong 3-1 series lead, something coach Jeff Blashill and his team are looking to accomplish in tonight’s contest.

The Lightning are all banged up and won’t have Steven Stamkos back for some time, if he even comes back at all for the playoffs. Last year these two teams met in the opening round of the playoffs, Detroit led 3-2 in that series only to fall in the final two games to end their season.

Detroit has to get strong goal tending here. Jimmy Howard gave up a weak goal in the first game in the series, one that proved to be too much for the Red Wings to overcome. Blashill has been playing with the lines as well, but Detroit hasn’t been able to find one good enough to put enough goals on the board. The Red Wings only trail 1-0 in the series and a win here would certainly give them an advantage moving forward.

Howard has to play well. This could be the Red Wings’ biggest game of the season and expect them to play like it.

Free Pick: Red Wings

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