After sweeping the 2024 Stanley Cup champions Florida Panthers, the New Jersey Devils looked to grab two more points on the last leg of their Florida road trip in Tampa against the Lighting. Winning this game would extend New Jersey’s winning streak to three. They would be unable to do so as the Devils lost 4-0 to the Tampa Bay Lighting.
The Devils’ record over the last ten games is 7-2-1, a huge improvement from the 2023-2024 season. The team also ranks first in the Metropolitan division with 26 points.
In the last game, New Jersey’s star players showed up to help secure the win. Some players who contributed the most were Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Stefan Noesen, and especially Jesper Bratt, who secured his second-ever hat trick in the game.
Throughout the first period against the Lighting, the momentum from the Devils’ previous game transitioned reasonably well. The Devils would be the better team on all sections of the ice, but seven minutes into regulation, Dougie Hamilton picked up a holding penalty, giving Tampa a power play. Tampa has undoubtedly faltered on their power play this season, standing 18th in the league with a percentage of 18.8. This statistic stood true as New Jersey kept the puck out of Jacob Markstrom’s net with their penalty kill, for which the Devils are fifth in the league.
Tampa’s power play caused the Devils to lose their footing, which led to Tampa gaining a significant amount of time in New Jersey’s zone. Nick Paul found the back of the net for the Lighting, giving them a 1-0 lead. Jake Guentzel and Emil Lilleberg assisted on Paul’s goal. The Devils attempted to tie the game but failed as the first period ended with Tampa leading.
New Jersey’s offense’s determination to tie the game was a positive component in that period. Instead of constantly passing and then losing the puck, they made quality shots.
Coming out for the second period, the Devils almost immediately were hit with their second penalty of the night, and this time, it would be a tripping offense on Erik Haula. New Jersey’s penalty kill would start to pump up the physicality; this was a helping hand as it stunned Tampa and gave the Devils some leeway in clearing the puck. Only three minutes later, Luke Glendening granted the Devils their first power play of the game, but they could not produce anything. New Jersey would slowly wake up and become more aggressive and attentive with the puck. Even with the Devils’ improved play, the Lightning could contain them through their defensive pairs and goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy. Regulation would end with the Devils still trailing by one.
The Devils’ second period was much better. Their defense was more attentive to the puck, especially the Luke Hughes and Brett Pesce pairing. Jacob Markstrom also helped the Devils immensely, making highlight-worthy saves while controlling his rebounds responsibly.
However, the third period started poorly for the Devils as 39 seconds in, Darren Raddysh scored his first of the season from Nikita Kucherov and Anthony Cirelli. This goal gave the Lighting a stronger lead of 2-0. It would only get worse from there as Kurtis Macdermid took a penalty six minutes later, leading to Tampa’s power play striking again.
Victor Hedman snuck one past Jacob Markstrom to make it 3-0 Lighting. Nikita Kucherov and Jake Guentzel assisted with the goal. The third period would continue with the Lighting as the better team. To officially end the game, Tampa would hit one into the empty net, leaving the ending score 4-0 Lighting.
The Devils continue to be inconsistent, with this game being an example. Even with many strong attributes, the Devils could not win or even score.
New Jersey returns home to play its next game on Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes at The Rock, where it hopes to regain its momentum.
