DETROIT – A few costly mistakes in Game 6 Monday night put the Red Wings behind early and never in a position to win the game.
The Lightning scored their first three goals on preventable rushes -- two from the speedy Tyler Johnson, who now has six goals in this series -- and their fourth goal from Alex Killorn was much of the same.
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"They can play like that. We can't play like that," said Detroit coach Mike Babcock. "We made big mistakes. Tampa is a team that scores when you give them opportunities."
Despite the mistakes -- a turnover, a bad line change, a missed mark -- the Red Wings seemed poised to complete a comeback after two goals from Tomas Tatar -- first on the power play and then on a quick play to beat Ben Bishop five-hole. They were threatening in the 3rd period before Killorn grabbed back a two-goal lead for his team.
For Tampa coach Jon Cooper, scoring early was a welcomed change.
"We've been fighting to score goals. Been shut out. To get one early was huge for us. We just had a quiet calm about us the whole night. No panic on the bench," said Cooper.
No team has won two consecutive games in this series, Babcock noted.
"We have to get our mind right again and get ready for Game 7," he said.
Cooper summed it up: "Two of the greatest words put together in any sport: Game 7."
Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in Tampa.
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