TAMPA – For the third time in the past four years, the Detroit Red Wings are making an early exit from the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Red Wings appeared to be the stronger team for much of their Eastern Conference First Round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Game 7 at Amalie Arena on Wednesday wasn't much different: The Red Wings outshot the Lightning 31-17 and dominated the puck while playing 5-on-5.
But the Lightning scored twice in the third period and Tampa Bay goaltender Ben Bishop was perfect, and that was all the Lightning needed in a 2-0 win that moved them into the Eastern Conference Second Round against the Montreal Canadiens.