The big picture

Tampa Bay Lightning come in 8th on the ladder; Detroit Red Wings are 23rd. Tampa Bay Lightning have the higher position to protect.

Tampa Bay Lightning are 10–5 in NHL 2026-27, averaging 3.7 goals for and 3.1 against.

Detroit Red Wings are 7–10 in NHL 2026-27, averaging 2.9 goals for and 3.1 against.

Form

Tampa Bay Lightning have won three of their last five and most recently beat Chicago Blackhawks 4–1.

Detroit Red Wings have won two of their last five and most recently lost to Vegas Golden Knights 1–2.

Head to head

These sides have met 71 times on our records since 2009: Tampa Bay Lightning 47, Detroit Red Wings 24.

Last time out (2026-27), Tampa Bay Lightning won 4–2 at Benchmark International Arena.

Tampa Bay Lightning have won the last four against Detroit Red Wings.

Biggest margin between these two: Tampa Bay Lightning by 5 goals in 2022-23 (5–0).

Players to watch

For Tampa Bay Lightning, watch Jake Guentzel (0.5 goals a game, 7 assists in 2026-27) and Brandon Hagel (0.5 goals a game, 9 assists in 2026-27).

For Detroit Red Wings, watch Viktor Arvidsson (0.4 goals a game, 8 assists in 2026-27) and Alex DeBrincat (0.4 goals a game, 9 assists in 2026-27).

At Benchmark International Arena

Tampa Bay Lightning have won 15 of their last 22 at Benchmark International Arena.

Detroit Red Wings have won 0 of 3 at Benchmark International Arena.

What the numbers say

On form, ladder and history, Tampa Bay Lightning go in as clear favourites.