The Detroit Red Wings (35-36-10, 80 points, 7th Atlantic) play a visit to Amalie Arena in Tampa on Thursday to play against Atlantic division rival the Tampa Bay Lightning (45-30-6, 96 points 3rd Atlantic) in the final game of the regular season for both teams. Detroit was defeated by the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1 on Tuesday for their 4th straight loss. Detroit has been eliminated from playoff contention. Tampa Bay was defeated by the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3 on Tuesday and has lost four straight. Tampa Bay has clinched third place in the Atlantic division, which is the final automatic qualifying place for each division. Detroit will play without Ben Chiarot, Robby Fabbri and Michael Rasmussen amongst others. Tampa Bay will play without Brent Seabrook, while Tanne r Jeannot and Mikhail Sergachev are questionable.
The Detroit Red Wings are scoring an average of only 2.93 goals per game which is 22nd in the NHL, while the Red Wings have a goals against average of 3.33 which is 22nd. Detroit is averaging 28.2 shots per game which is 29th and the Red Wings are allowing an average of 30.4 shots per game which is 11th. Detroit's power play scores 21.4% of the time which is 15th and its penalty kill unit is successful 78.5% of time which is 18th.
Dylan Larkin is the stats leader for Detroit, leading the Red Wings in goals scored with 32, assists with 47 and points with 79. David Perron is second in goals scored with 24 and in points with 56, while Moritz Seider is second in assists with 37. Detroit has scored 57 goals on the power play in 81 games led by Larkin with 16. Ville Husso, who is questionable for Thursday, is 26-21-7 with a 3.09 goals against average, .896 save percentage and four shutouts.