Marco Kasper has elevated his game lately for the Detroit Red Wings. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Red Wings Rely on Marco Kasper’s Overtime Heroics to Defeat Lightning

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers
By Jack Pallotta | Last updated Apr 11, 2025 10:15 PM ET

The Tampa Bay Lightning choked a third-period lead to the Detroit Red Wings for a second straight overtime loss at Amalie Arena by a score of 4-3. After all, this was a win-or-go-home game for the Red Wings, who haven’t qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2016.

Game Recap

Just 61 seconds into the opening frame, Brandon Hagel found Anthony Cirelli through the middle of the ice for a semi-breakaway where the Lightning center beat Alex Lyon low for a 1-0 lead. Outside of the only goal, the first period was feisty, featuring multiple scrums involving numerous players.

The Red Wings evened the game in the second period with a goal from Patrick Kane off an attempted pass by the rookie Marco Kasper that Victor Hedman accidentally knocked onto Kane’s stick. Craig Smith, acquired back in March by Detroit, set the entire play up with his hard work along the boards. Then, a pair of strange goals occurred to close the second period. Former Lightning winger Tyler Motte poked a puck past Andrei Vasilevskiy following a point shot that hit the glass and bounced right out in front. Luckily, the Lightning caught a break of their own when Gage Goncalves poked the puck past Lyon to even the score at two apiece.

Similar to the first goal of the game, Hagel found Goncalves streaking through the neutral zone for a semi-breakaway. Goncalves made no mistake and scored his second of the night to put Tampa Bay ahead. Nevertheless, Detroit didn’t go down without a fight with their season on the line. Kasper ripped a beautiful shot top shelf on the rush off a feed from Alex Debrincat to deadlock the score at three.

After a lengthy overtime frame, Kasper showed off his speed and shooting again with another brilliant shot off a rush into the offensive zone to seal the win for the Red Wings.

Looking Ahead

The Lightning now have 98 points in 79 games as they try to triumph over the Toronto Maple Leafs for the Atlantic Division title. However, following an overtime loss to the Maple Leafs on home ice this past Wednesday (April 9), the path to pass them for first isn’t likely. This game does give the Lightning a two-point buffer over the Florida Panthers in a Round 1 matchup. After all, Tampa Bay has a 27-8-4 record at home this season. The Lightning host the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday (April 13) for the next game of their final home stand. Puck drop for that game is at 6:00 p.m. The Red Wings will host the Dallas Stars on Monday (April 14) at 7:00 p.m.

3 Stars of the Game