DETROIT — The defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning have not lost a game this season when leading after two periods. The last two NHL teams to pull off that feat in the regular season — Pittsburgh in 2016 and Chicago in 2015 — went on to hoist the Cup.
“I like those stats,” Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper said after the Lightning beat the Detroit Red Wings 2-1 on Sunday, holding onto a lead after 40 minutes for the 25th time this year.
Blake Coleman scored 16 seconds into the game, Mikhail Sergachev added another goal early in the second period, and the Lightning killed three penalties late in the game.