Thursday, the New Jersey Devils lost 8-4 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. It was another frustrating loss at home as the team falls further down the Metropolitan Division standings. The loss drops New Jersey to 17-13-1 on the season.
Recap
Period One
The Devils fell behind early. Nick Paul got Tampa on the board just 2:57 in with a quick snap shot over the glove of Jacob Markström. Just 51 seconds later, Darren Raddysh got the puck in through traffic to double the Lightning lead.
The Devils got one back from a beautiful Luke Hughes goal. He spun by a defender and sniped the puck far side on Jonas Johansson. Tampa struck again, however, just 56 seconds later on a leaky backhand goal from Pontus Holmberg. That was the end of Markström’s night.
Jake Allen made a few saves before Tampa scored again on the power play. This time it was Jake Guentzel who netted a hat trick last time out against New Jersey. The Lightning led 4-1 after one period of play.
Period Two
New Jersey didn’t have much push back against the Bolts to open the second and Tampa capitalized again. Noted Devil-killer Oliver Bjorkstrand scored to make it 5-1. The Devils got a power play towards the end of the period, and while on it, Jesper Bratt was sprung on a breakaway where he made it a three-goal game again off a nice move. Tampa didn’t let up though, Brandon Hagel stayed hot with his 18th of the year on a delayed penalty just 3:23 later. Tampa led by four after two periods.
Period Three
The Devils got on the board early in the third with Angus Crookshank netting his first goal on the team. New Jersey had a few chances afterwards but Tampa was opportunistic in the third as Brayden Point scored to put the Lightning back up four. The Devils found the back of the net once more off a breakaway move by Paul Cotter, but Tampa continued to pour it afterwards as Bjorkstrand scored his second of the game. The Lightning shut the door the rest of the way and won by an 8-4 final.
Game Notes
No Momentum
After the Devils four goals Thursday night, the Lightning averaged a response in just two minutes and 23 seconds. It’s hard to have a chance at winning when as soon as you score things get slammed right back in your face. Something the team will have to work on moving forward.
Struggles Continue
While injuries are definitely a factor, this may just be who the Devils are this season. Since their 8-0-1 start, the Devils are 9-12-1 with the 20th-ranked five-on-five expected goals percentage (xG%), 22nd-ranked save percentage, 19th-ranked power play, 31st-ranked penalty kill, and 32nd-ranked shooting percentage at an abysmal 8.33%.
Even though, again, injuries are a factor, you have to think change is coming sooner than later. Who knows if that means next week, next month, or next summer, but things can’t just stay stagnant for much longer.
What’s Next
The Devils next game is at home, Saturday against the Anaheim Ducks at 12:30 pm ET.