Line Combinations: Red Wings at Lightning

On Tuesday, the Detroit Red Wings will look to pull off a rare sweep in a challenging road back-to-back after earning an impressive 5-3 victory over the Florida Panthers on Monday. Detroit will aim to carry that momentum into a difficult matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning, who enter the contest with plenty of motivation of their own.

Tampa has been surrounded by controversy in recent days following reports that superstar winger Nikita Kucherov has requested a trade. The off-ice distractions may have ruffled some feathers as the Lightning suffered a surprising 5-4 shootout loss to the Nashville Predators Saturday, with Kucherov dishing three assists in the defeat.

The Red Wings will certainly have their work cut out for them, although they have been playing some impressive hockey of late, collecting six wins in their last nine games. However, history is not on Detroit's side, as Tampa Bay has won three consecutive meetings between the clubs and four of its last six home games against the Red Wings.

A major key for Detroit will be finding a way to contain Kucherov, who has been particularly dangerous against the Red Wings throughout his career. The Lightning star has recorded 58 points in 43 career games against Detroit, including multiple points in three straight matchups.

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*subject to change*

DeBrincant - Finnie - Arvidsson

Brandsegg-Nygard - Copp - Raymond

Rasmussen - Compher - Danielson

Mazur - Dries - Kolesar

Chiarot - Seider

Wallinder - Faulk

Englund - An. Johansson

Gibson

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