RECAP: Red Wings win, 4-2, in Lalonde's return to Tampa Bay

TAMPA BAY -- Detroit Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde had been open and honest when asked about his emotions heading into the first matchup of the season against his former club, the Tampa Bay Lightning.

And when asked to describe his emotions after the Red Wings' 4-2 win over the Lightning on Tuesday night at AMALIE Arena, Lalonde's response was once again straightforward.
"It's good," said Lalonde, who served as an assistant coach with Tampa Bay from 2018-22. "A good feeling. I just liked the way we played."
Tuesday's battle between the Atlantic Division rivals began with a scoreless first period despite multiple chances for both teams. Michael Rasmussen's second-period goal opened the scoring, then Jonatan Berggren doubled Detroit's lead less than six minutes into the third.
After pulling goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy later in the final frame, the Lightning trimmed their deficit, 2-1. Adam Erne reclaimed the Red Wings' two-goal advantage with an empty-netter at 16:22 in the period, but Tampa Bay quickly responded to pull back within one. Then with 25 seconds remaining, David Perron's empty-netter sealed the victory for Detroit, which has won four straight road games for the first time since Jan. 2-10, 2016.
"It's big," said Red Wings goaltender Ville Husso, who made a season-high 44 saves, including 28 in the third period. "It's nice for him (Lalonde) to come back here and get a win."
With an assist on Rasmussen's goal, Filip Hronek became the second defenseman in NHL history and first player in Red Wings franchise history to notch a point streak of at least 11 road games from the start of a season.
Detroit improved its overall record to 13-7-5, while Tampa Bay fell to 15-9-1. Through 25 games this season, the clubs are tied for third in the division standings with 31 points apiece.
NEXT UP:The Red Wings will seek their third straight victory on Thursday night when they battle the Florida Panthers at FLA Live Arena, which will be televised exclusively on ESPN+ and Hulu.

SCORING SUMMARY

Detroit 1, Tampa Bay 0 (1:54, 2nd period)
Hronek's pass from the Red Wings' blue line went to Dominik Kubalik near the Lightning's blue line. After skating with the puck into the offensive zone, Kubalik set up Rasmussen in the slot for his fourth goal of the season.

Detroit 2, Tampa Bay 0 (5:59, 3rd period)
Berggren redirected Olli Maatta's point shot past Vasilevskiy for his third goal of the campaign. Joe Veleno was also credited with an assist on Berggren's tally.

Tampa Bay 1, Detroit 2 (14:52, 3rd period)
More than halfway through the final frame, Steven Stamkos' one-timer got Tampa Bay on the scoreboard.
Detroit 3 Tampa Bay 1 (16:22, 3rd period)
After taking Andrew Copp's feed, Erne scored on the empty net from deep in Detroit's defensive zone.

Tampa Bay 2, Detroit 3 (17:34, 3rd period)
Alex Killorn one-timed a pass to Brayden Point, whose backhander slipped past Husso.
Detroit 4, Tampa Bay 2 (19:35, 3rd period)
David Perron, assisted by Hronek and Copp, iced the game with an empty-netter.

QUOTABLE

Lalonde on Tuesday's eventful third period
"As tough as it was, the ice was tilted in the third, I still thought we managed it well enough. Ville was probably the difference in the third."
Lalonde on Detroit's road success
"I think we're managing our game well. We came out, won the first period despite coming out 0-0 and we won the second period. Some good signs so far, for sure."
Rasmussen on the Red Wings' overall effort against an elite club like Tampa Bay
"I think it was a solid effort through the whole game. A couple minutes here and there of chaos, but I think overall it was a solid 60-minute effort. Everyone pulled their weight."