Detroit Red Wings vs. Tampa Bay Lightning: Game Review – November 28, 2025
Final Score: Tampa Bay Lightning 6, Detroit Red Wings 3
The Tampa Bay Lightning extended their winning streak to six games with a convincing 6-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena on Friday, November 28, 2025. Despite showing moments of resilience, the Red Wings dropped their third consecutive game as defensive struggles continue to plague the team.
Game Flow and Key Moments
Detroit actually started strong, with J.T. Compher breaking the ice 11:29 into the first period. Compher fired a snap shot from the middle of the right face-off circle after Michael Rasmussen won a puck battle along the boards, giving the home team an early 1-0 lead.
The Lightning quickly responded on the power play when defenseman Darren Raddysh blasted a 100 MPH slap shot through traffic at 17:07 of the opening frame, tying the game at 1-1.
The second period featured an offensive explosion with five goals between the teams. Tampa Bay seized control early with two quick strikes:
- Gage Goncalves stole the puck from Albert Johansson just 34 seconds into the period and beat Gibson five-hole for a 2-1 lead
- Yanni Gourde increased the advantage to 3-1 at 3:01, jamming home a loose puck in the crease
Detroit showed immediate fight when Michael Rasmussen scored just 12 seconds after Gourde’s goal, cutting the deficit to 3-2. The quick response demonstrated the Red Wings’ resilience, but they struggled to maintain defensive consistency.
Gourde struck again at 16:09 of the second period, blasting a shot through traffic while Gibson was out of position after Zemgus Girgensons was pushed into the Detroit netminder. This restored Tampa Bay’s two-goal cushion at 4-2.
Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin brought Detroit back within striking distance before the second intermission, scoring his team-leading 14th goal of the season at 18:26. Larkin’s snap shot from the left face-off circle went between Vasilevskiy’s legs, making it 4-3 heading into the third period.
Decisive Third Period
Despite Detroit’s push for an equalizer early in the final frame, including opportunities during their only power play of the game, the Lightning’s defense and Andrei Vasilevskiy held strong. Jake Guentzel delivered the dagger with 7:23 remaining, tipping in a Raddysh point shot during 4-on-4 play to make it 5-3.
Brandon Hagel sealed the victory with an empty-net goal at 17:13, bringing the final score to 6-3 for the Lightning.
Standout Performances
Tampa Bay Lightning:
- Yanni Gourde: The energetic forward scored twice in the second period, providing crucial offense during a key stretch of the game
- Darren Raddysh: Finished with a three-point night (1 goal, 2 assists), including the power-play goal that tied the game
- Andrei Vasilevskiy: Made 33 saves, including several spectacular stops in the first period when Detroit threatened to build a larger lead
Detroit Red Wings:
- J.T. Compher: Recorded a goal and an assist while providing leadership during a difficult stretch for the team
- Michael Rasmussen: Contributed a goal and an assist, showing strong forechecking and net-front presence
- Dylan Larkin: The captain scored his team-leading 14th goal and continued to lead by example despite the loss
Postgame Reactions
The Red Wings’ frustration was evident in the postgame comments, with captain Dylan Larkin addressing the team’s defensive struggles:
“Todd talked a lot about net play the last few days, and they get a couple there in front of our net. Most of their goals were chaos around the crease, late plays, whacking and winning battles in our net front. It’s frustrating when we talk about it a lot and it just keeps happening.”
J.T. Compher echoed similar sentiments: “The consistency is not there. The good teams do it every single night. Even if we don’t get the result, it’s the same effort and commitment to defend. We need more of that.”
Lightning head coach Jon Cooper characterized the win as “a complete team win,” highlighting how different aspects of their game came together at crucial moments – Vasilevskiy’s stellar goaltending in the first period, the Gourde line’s offensive production in the second, and a team defensive effort in the third period to secure the victory.
Game Context
The win improved Tampa Bay’s record to 15-7-2 (32 points), maintaining their momentum despite missing stars Victor Hedman and Brayden Point due to injuries.
For Detroit (13-11-1, 27 points), the loss marked their third consecutive defeat and fourth in their last five games. During this difficult stretch, they’ve allowed 24 goals, highlighting their defensive challenges.
The Red Wings had little time to regroup, as they visited the Boston Bruins at TD Garden the following night, while the Lightning continued to build momentum during their successful road trip.
Photos: Tim Jarrold – In Play! magazine
