The Tampa Bay Lightning (14-7-2) face the Detroit Red Wings (13-10-1) today in a critical divisional matchup at noon ET from Little Caesars Arena. Tampa Bay brings a five-game winning streak and looks to extend its red-hot form against a Red Wings squad fighting to keep pace in the Atlantic Division.
🔥 Quick Facts
Lightning record: 14-7-2 with a five-game win streak over the past 15 games (12-3)
Red Wings record: 13-10-1, fighting for playoff positioning in Atlantic Division
Game time: Noon ET on November 28, 2025, hosted at Little Caesars Arena
Key factor: Lightning have 13 wins in their last 32 days with elite special teams (16.2% power play, 88.3% penalty kill)
Lightning Riding Dominant Form Into Detroit
Tampa Bay stormed through November with explosive performance that has the team among the league’s elite. The Lightning are 12-3 in their last 15 games after a slow October start, demonstrating the kind of consistency needed for deep playoff runs. Andrei Vasilevskiy has been crucial between the pipes, recording a shutout just four days ago and standing with a 10-5-2 record, 2.28 GAA, and .918 save percentage through 17 games this season.
Brandon Hagel continues offensive dominance for the Lightning, coming off a season where he posted 90 points (35 goals, 55 assists) in the 2024-25 campaign. The forward leads the team’s top line alongside Anthony Cirelli and star Nikita Kucherov, creating a formidable offensive front that Detroit must account for.
Red Wings Seeking Turnaround Against Surging Squad
Detroit enters the matchup with urgency as the team battles to stay competitive in an increasingly crowded Atlantic Division race. The Red Wings feature offensive threats in Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond, and Patrick Kane, looking to challenge Tampa’s defensive structure. Detroit is 13-10-1 on the season, placing them in the middle of divisional standings where every win carries weight in the playoff chase.
Red Wings head into this game with fresh lineup adjustments, shaking up forward combinations to generate offensive spark. Goaltender John Gibson takes the net for Detroit, tasked with containing a Lightning offense that consistently scores 3.22 goals per game while allowing just 2.65.
Matchup Breakdown and Key Statistics
Category
Lightning
Red Wings
Record
14-7-2
13-10-1
Win Streak
5 games
Mixed form
Goals For/Against
3.22 GF / 2.65 GA
Variable
Power Play %
16.2%
TBA
Penalty Kill %
88.3%
TBA
Injury Impact on Divisional Showdown
Tampa Bay faces notable absences with Brayden Point, Ryan McDonagh, Victor Hedman, Max Crozier, and Erik Cernak all unavailable. Despite these injuries, the Lightning’s depth and dominant form suggests they’ll field a competitive lineup. Detroit confirmed Simon Edvinsson’s absence due to illness, though most of their roster remains available for this critical matchup.
The injury situation could play a role in how each team’s defensive schemes develop during the game. Tampa’s resilience in winning five straight despite losing top personnel underscores the team’s championship-caliber depth. Detroit will look to exploit any defensive adjustments Tampa might make while managing their own lineup constraints.
Can Detroit Find Answer to Lightning’s Hot Streak?
This afternoon’s matchup represents a critical test for both teams in their divisional race. Tampa Bay’s five-game winning streak, combined with their elite special teams and goaltending, positions them as heavy favorites heading into Little Caesars Arena. Detroit’s ability to match Tampa’s intensity and capitalize on scoring opportunities will determine whether they can pull off an upset against the league’s hottest teams. The noon ET start time adds an unusual wrinkle to the matchup, potentially affecting rhythm and execution for both squads.
Sources
NHL.com – Official game preview with projected lineups and status report
ESPN – Current season statistics and team performance metrics
Sports Hockey Writers – Win streak and recent performance analysis
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