RECAP: Red Wings blanked by Lightning, 5-0, in 2022-23 season finale

TAMPA BAY -- The Detroit Red Wings were shut out by the Tampa Bay Lightning, 5-0, in the 2022-23 regular-season finale for both clubs on Thursday night at AMALIE Arena.

"Very disappointing," Moritz Seider said. "We all had higher expectations for that game. We wanted to be a .500 team and obviously, we didn't achieve that today. I think frustration and a little bit of sadness will be on the plane the way back for sure, but other than that I think we can be very proud of ourselves. We took big strides this year in almost every category."
Detroit outshot Tampa Bay, 13-2, in the first period, but the Lightning cashed in on their first attempt of the game at 7:49 to take a 1-0 lead. After a scoreless second, Tampa Bay broke out for four goals in the third period and opposing goalie Brian Elliott stood on his head the rest of the way.
"There's a lot of work that needs to be done in this locker room," Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin said. "I think hopefully, we say it every year, we're not in this position much longer."
Goaltender Ville Husso made 27 saves in the loss for the Red Wings (35-37-10; 80 points), who finished the season with the most wins and points since the 2015-16 campaign. With the victory, the Lightning improved to 46-30-6 (98 points) overall and ensured a split of the season series.
"We'll take a little bit of a breather here," Detroit head coach Derek Lalonde said. "I'll meet with everyone over the next 48 hours before they take off. That will probably be a little more individual-based. Then we'll start looking towards the group next year. I'm personally very excited about next year."
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SCORING SUMMARY

Tampa Bay 1, Detroit 0 (7:49, 1st period)
Anthony Cirelli worked the puck at the high slot to Alex Killorn, who skated into the left face-off circle before he fired a wrister past Husso for the game-opening goal.
Tampa Bay 2, Detroit 0 (7:27, 3rd period)
In the final seconds of a Tampa Bay power play, Joe Veleno made a diving play to break up a pass from Brandon Hagel intended for Alex Killorn. The puck bounced off the boards back to Killorn, who sent a back-handed pass to Brayden Point up close. Husso denied Point's initial attempt, but Hagel scooped up the loose puck and buried a shot into the back of the net.
Tampa Bay 3, Detroit 0 (10:47, 3rd period)
Point scored his 50th goal of the season on the power play and became just the fifth NHL player to reach the milestone this season.
Tampa Bay 4, Detroit 0 (15:59, 3rd period)
Point, assisted by Mikhail Sergachev and Brandon Hagel, added an empty netter for his second tally of the night.
Tampa Bay 5, Detroit 0 (19:50, 3rd period)
Michael Eyssimont capped the scoring when he recorded his first goal as a member of the Lightning in the final seconds of Thursday's contest.

QUOTABLE

Larkin on Detroit's lack of scoring down the stretch of the season
"It's very frustrating as an offensive player. You wanna score and win games by not just defending, but scoring and scoring on the power play. Tonight we had looks. We just didn't get it behind."
Larkin on Thursday's end result
"Very disappointing. It's been very difficult since the trade deadline. Emotionally and physically we traded away a lot of guys. I know we wanted to get back to .500 and finish on a good note. It didn't happen tonight."
Seider on the impact of injuries to the forward corps
"It's really hard if you're missing key players, motors I would even say, in the lineup. That's a big cause to that. I think next year, we will be looking at a different team again. I think we will work really hard to not be in the same spot again."