TAMPA, Fla. _ The Red Wings took not going down without a fight a bit too literally.
In their first game since being mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, the Wings dropped their gloves Thursday at Amalie Arena. The game ended with them getting beat, 5-3 by Tampa Bay, even as they scored first, converted a power play and tried hard to rally in the third period.
The Wings lost Anthony Mantha a few minutes into the game when he suffered what general manager Ken Holland said was a fractured finger that likely will sideline Mantha the rest of the season. Mantha was injured while fighting.
Frans Nielsen scored the first goal and Henrik Zetterberg picked up career point No.900 when he set up Danny DeKeyser in the second period. Two power play goals against left the Wings trailing, 4-2 entering the third period.
Petr Mrazek made a big save on Yanni Gourde as the Lightning topped 20 shots on net early in the third. The Wings had great puck possession for several minutes, and Justin Abdelkader forced a save from Andrei Vasilevskiy.
Gourde scored to make it 5-2, but Mike Green converted during a man advantage to edge the Wings back within two. Zetterberg hit a post with about six minutes to play in regulation as the Wings tried for a comeback. Mrazek made a terrific stop on Brayden Point and finished with 26 saves. The Wings had 34 shots.
While the playoff race is lost, the Wings started like a team still eager to show something. Less than four minutes in, Mantha answered a challenge from Luke Witkowski, week-old retribution for Mantha punching Greg McKegg after he'd dropped to the ice when he and Mantha fought in Detroit.
Less than five minutes in, Nielsen popped the puck into Tampa Bay's net, then timed his arrival to the goal perfectly to connect on Darren Helm's pass.
Less than six minutes in, Xavier Ouellet fought J.T. Brown, albeit a short one.
Mrazek had made several good saves before getting beat at the last minute when J.T. Brown drove to the net and scored.
Andrej Sustr scored 2:22 into the second period, but the Wings responded well, generating good offensive zone time and testing Vasilevskiy.
Danny DeKeyser scored when his shot went in off Jake Dotchin's shin pad at 12:46, but the Lightning retook the lead during a power play. Mrazek made the save on Alex Killorn, but the puck dropped in the crease and DeKeyser accidentally knocked it into his own net as he tried to clear it. Mrazek gave up a bad goal to Jonathan Drouin on a second straight Tampa Bay power play, after Drouin skated by three Wings defenders unscathed.
