The trend in the NHL over the last few weeks has been big offensive output in the first period. Sunday night saw the Tampa Bay Lightning continue that trend with a four-goal surge in the first to send them to a 5-2 win over the visiting New Jersey Devils.
Brayden Point struck twice for the Bolts who improved to 17-6-1.
It was the second straight game the Lighting had opened a game with a four-goal first.
“Obviously that’s how I want us to start every game,” Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman said. “If we keep doing that, good things are going to happen. I thought we played a good 60 minutes. Maybe we sat back a little in the third period, but that happens in today’s hockey.”
Brayden Point had two goals for Bolts in win over Devils – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
Louis Domingue made 33 saves to get the win.
Stefan Noesen and Jesper Bratt scored the Devils’ goals.
“They’re a very tenacious team. They are very good down low and very good on the rush and obviously on the power play. You give them those three areas and they are going to beat you,” the Devils’ Andy Greenesaid after the loss.
New Jersey dropped to 9-10-3.
“I thought we continued to play and gathered ourselves,” Devils head coach John Hynes said. “The score got away a little bit, but I don’t think the score was indicative of where the game was.”
Alex Killorn, Tyler Johnson and Cedric Paquette also score
“It’s nice [to score],” Paquette said. “I think [our line] plays the same game, all three of us, and we’ve gotten some bounces. I think we’re playing hard, playing the right way and being rewarded.”
[WATCH: All Devils vs. Lightning highlights]
Cory Schneider made 30 saves in another loss; he is 0-5-0 on the season.
“It’s tough when your goalie gives away the game in the first period,” Schneider said. “It’s not fair to my teammates. This team is hard enough to play in their building. To spot them a 4-1 … it’s just disappointing for me.”
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