Hockey

Guentzel and Goncalves Shine in Lightning’s 4-1 Victory Over Red Wings

by
Richard Hayes
March 12, 2026

In an impressive display of skill and teamwork, Jake Guentzel and Gage Goncalves each found the back of the net twice, leading the Tampa Bay Lightning to a decisive 4-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night. Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy turned aside 23 shots, helping the Lightning secure their third win in the last nine games since the Olympic break, inching them closer to the top of the Atlantic Division.

Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov were pivotal in the offensive effort, each contributing two assists. The Lightning are now just two points behind the Buffalo Sabres in the division standings, showcasing their determination to climb the ranks as the season progresses.

Meanwhile, the Red Wings struggled to find their footing, with J.T. Compher scoring their only goal, while goaltender John Gibson faced 28 shots, making 24 saves. Detroit has now secured just one victory in their last five games, holding onto the No. 1 wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference despite their recent challenges.

The game took a decisive turn early in the second period when Tampa Bay capitalized on a power play. Guentzel received a backhand pass from Kucherov, maneuvered through the defense, and found the net just 49 seconds in, giving the Lightning a 1-0 lead.

As the third period unfolded, Tampa Bay extended their advantage just 1:35 in. A shot from Brayden Point deflected off Ben Chiarot’s shin pad and then off Goncalves’ skate, putting the Lightning up by two. The Red Wings fought back, with Compher redirecting an Alex DeBrincat shot into the net at 7:05, narrowing the gap.

However, Goncalves struck again, redirecting another shot from Point with just 3:38 remaining, restoring the two-goal cushion. Guentzel capped off the scoring with an empty-netter at 3:05 left in the game, sealing the Lightning’s victory.

The Red Wings will look to bounce back as they head to Dallas on Saturday, while the Lightning prepare to host the Carolina Hurricanes on the same day.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.

Richard Hayes

Richard Hayes is the go-to writer for all things soccer at 21Sports.com. His international perspective and in-depth knowledge of the game have made him a trusted voice in the industry. Richard’s experience covering major leagues around the world allows him to offer unique insights that resonate with both casual fans and die-hard enthusiasts. When not covering matches, Richard enjoys coaching youth soccer in his community.