Devils 3, Lightning 2 (FINAL)
The Devils have won a season-high four in a row, and will look to keep that streak alive when they open a five-game homestand on Wednesday, Nov. 28 against Dallas.


newjerseydevils.com (Nov. 24) – The Devils appear to have their road game all figured out.

New Jersey won its season-high fourth in a row Saturday night, beating the Lightning, 3-2, at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa.

Brian Gionta scored twice, including a power-play goal, and Martin Brodeur made 34 saves, as the Devils survived a third period in which they were outshot 14-1 to move over the .500 mark for the first time this season (11-10-2).

Brodeur (9-10-1), who has had three three-game losing streaks this season, is now riding a personal four-game winning streak. The three-time Vezina Trophy winner has held opponents to five goals over that stretch with one shutout.

After posting three wins in their season-opening nine-game road trip, the Devils have grabbed five straight road wins to improve to 8-6-2 away from Prudential Center.

Following a scoreless first period, New Jersey fell behind 1-0 when Vincent Lecavalier went 1-on-1 with Colin White, and beat Brodeur through the pads with a wrist shot from the slot 35 seconds into the second period.

Lecavalier, the NHL's leading scorer with 38 points (16g-22a), registered a game-high six shots on goal and finished with a goal and an assist.

The Devils entered the night's action 1-8-1 when allowing the first goal, but Gionta's 5-on-3 one-timer at 4:49 from Zach Parise and Jamie Langenbrunner drew New Jersey even.

After Chris Gratton was whistled for high sticking at 3:47, Paul Ranger put a clearing attempt over the glass on the ensuing kill and was called for delay of game. That set up a New Jersey two-man advantage for 1:17, and for a second straight game, the Devils were able to cash in on a 5-on-3.

Paul Martin moved a point-to-point pass to Langenbrunner, who found Parise at the bottom of the right circle. Parise put a pass across the front of the net to Gionta for the goal.

New Jersey finished 1-for-4 with the man advantage, scoring a power-play goal in three straight games for the first time this season (4-for-13).

At 12:19, Gionta struck again, this time rushing the puck into the offensive zone and putting a wrist shot from the off-wing past Tampa goaltender Johan Holmqvist.

It was Gionta's (7g) first two-goal game of the season, while Parise has seven points (3g-4a) in his last four games, and leads New Jersey with 22 points (8g-14a).

Langenbrunner, meanwhile, has assisted on four of the last six New Jersey goals, and has collected eight points (2g-6a) in six games since returning from a groin injury on Nov. 14.

David Clarkson's second of the season, on a 2-on-1 with John Madden, made it a 3-1 Devils edge just 42 seconds later.

Jason Ward brought the Lightning back within one, ending the Devils' penalty kill streak at 18 when he beat Brodeur 36 seconds into the third period. Brent Sutter's squad had not allowed a power-play goal in four straight games since Nov. 14.

But New Jersey held off the Tampa attack in the final frame to remain unbeaten (8-0-0) when leading after two periods.

The Devils return to New Jersey to open a five game homestand against the Dallas Stars on Wednesday, Nov. 28, and will play seven of its next 10 games at Prudential Center.


NJD NOTES
Mike Mottau appeared to save what would have been the tying goal with 4:49 left in regulation and Tampa on a power play, when he knocked a Maxime Ouellet dribbler away from the goal line... Patrik Elias missed his second straight game with flu-like symptoms, and continues to be listed as day-to-day. With Elias out and Paul Martin available, the Devils went with seven defensemen for a second straight contest... Karel Rachunek was not in the lineup following the birth of his son on Wednesday.