With the win, the Devils are now 18–2–2 in their last 22 games.
The Lightning might have the league’s top scorer in Steven Stamkos (41) and plenty of star power, but the Devils edged them out in this game with gritty defense, particularly from defensemen Henrik Tallinder and rookie Mark Fain.
Since the second half, the Devils have been tearing it up collecting 36 points. But despite their incredible run, New Jersey faces an uphill challenge to make the playoffs.
By contrast, the Southeast Division-leading Lightning are well on their way to making the playoffs for the first time since 2007.
But don’t tell that to these Devils. Regardless of their playoff chances, they have been playing with passion and reckless abandon.
Joining the Devils in this game was newly acquired center David Steckel who lined up with former Ohio State teammate Rod Pelley and David Clarkson.
Steckel, 28, was part of a deadline trade that sent veteran center Jason Arnott to the Washington Capitals in exchange for the gritty two-way player and a 2012 second round draft pick.
Speaking with MSG, the 6-foot-5-inch 215-pound Steckel commented on joining the Devils, “It’s tough trying to learn a new system, [but] I’m going to go out and play and do what I do.”
Martin Brodeur started in net for New Jersey and had a solid game, stopping 15 of 16 shots on goal.
Brodeur commented after the game, “We’re in a situation where we can’t afford to lose many games the rest of the season. The playoffs are there in front of us and we’re going to give it the best shot we can.”
Hard Fought Win
After a scoreless first period, the Lighting lit the lamp at 4:41 in the second as center Dominic Moore deflected a shot by Pavel Kubina that whisked past Brodeur on his right side.
Continuing in the second period, defenseman Henrik Tallinder energized the home team after tying the game at 18:45. On the play, Tallinder positioned himself in front and blasted the puck towards Tampa netminder Dwayne Roloson—the puck appeared to ricochet off the stick of the Lightning’s Martin St. Louis.
Heading into the third period tied 1–1, star winger Ilya Kovalchuk put New Jersey ahead at 10:10 after he ripped a shot past Roloson that sailed over his right shoulder and into the net to the delight of the boisterous home crowd.
New Jersey has to keep battling for a playoff spot with 19 games remaining in the season. They are in 12th place, currently nine points back of the eighth-place Carolina Hurricanes.
