In this article, we preview the matchup between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the New Jersey Devils. Both teams are looking to continue their strong start to the season and earn crucial points in the standings. The Lightning come into this game as one of the top teams in the league with a potent offense led by Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos. The Devils, meanwhile, will look to counter with their own skilled players and solid defensive play. Join us for our game day thread to stay updated on all the action.
Tampa Bay Lightning at New Jersey Devils Preview
The Tampa Bay Lightning will travel to the Prudential Center to take on the New Jersey Devils on Sunday afternoon. The two teams are coming off very different results in their previous games, with the Lightning going down 4-3 to the Carolina Hurricanes, and the Devils cruising to a 6-3 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.
The Lightning are currently second in the Central Division with a record of 30-14-2, while the Devils are in eighth place in the East Division with a record of 14-27-6. Despite the disparity in their records, both teams will be looking for a win in this matchup.
The Lightning are a highly skilled offensive team, boasting the likes of Steven Stamkos, Brayden Point, and Nikita Kucherov. They have the fourth-best power play in the league, with a 24.7% success rate. However, their defense has been somewhat of a concern, allowing 2.82 goals per game.
The Devils, on the other hand, have struggled to find consistency in both their offense and defense. Their power play has only converted at a 13.7% rate, and they have allowed a league-high 3.55 goals per game. However, the team has shown flashes of potential, with rookie forward Yegor Sharangovich emerging as a bright spot with his 15 goals on the season.
Game Day Thread
With both teams having different strengths and weaknesses, it will be interesting to see how they match up against each other. The Lightning will need to tighten up their defense and establish a strong presence in front of the net to limit the Devils’ offensive opportunities.
Meanwhile, the Devils will need to use their speed and forechecking ability to disrupt the Lightning’s offensive game and create turnovers. If they can capitalize on their chances and convert on their power plays, they have a chance to upset the Lightning.
Key players to watch for the Lightning include Kucherov, who had a goal and an assist in their previous game against the Hurricanes, and Point, who leads the team with 22 goals on the season. For the Devils, Sharangovich will look to continue providing a spark for the team, while center Travis Zajac will look to build off his two-goal game against the Flyers.
Overall, this matchup has the potential to be an exciting one, with both teams eager to pick up a win. The Lightning will look to continue their strong play and maintain their spot in the playoff race, while the Devils will look to play spoiler and gain some momentum heading into the latter half of the season.
Conclusion
The Tampa Bay Lightning and the New Jersey Devils are set to face off in an intriguing matchup on Sunday afternoon. The Lightning will look to utilize their high-powered offense and tighten up their defense, while the Devils will look to disrupt the Lightning’s game and capitalize on their chances.
With both teams having different strengths and weaknesses, it will be a fascinating matchup to watch. Will the Lightning continue their strong play and pick up a win, or will the Devils surprise them and pull off an upset? Only time will tell, but fans can expect an exciting game between these two teams.
