Game Day: Devils - Lightning, 7:30 (MSG)

New Jersey (28-14-4, 60 PTS, 1st Atlantic, 2nd East) vs. Tampa Bay (24-22-2, 50 PTS, 3rd Southeast, 8th East)

7:30 PM
The Swamp
TV: MSG
Radio: WFAN

Last We Met:

This is the first time the teams are meeting this season. We split with the Lightning last year, and will face them again on 1/26.

Leading Scorers
New Jersey
#26 Patrik Elias 12-26-42
#14 Brian Gionta 20-17-37
#23 Scott Gomez 8-27-35
#9 Zach Parise 17-17-34
#15 Jamie Langenbrunner 15-16-31

Tampa Bay
#26 Martin St. Louis 29-34-63
#4 Vincent Lecavalier 29-34-63
#19 Brad Richards 16-24-40
#22 Dan Boyle 11-27-38
#20 Vaclav Prospal 7-23-30


New Jersey
#30 Martin Brodeur 28-13-3, ONE POINT NINE NINE SPELLS MVP, .929%, 8 Shutouts
#40 Scott Clemmenson - Who Cares?

Tampa Bay
#40 Johan Holmqvist 14-9-0, 2.80, .891%, 0 Shutouts
#30 Mark Denis 10-13-2, 3.10, .881%, 1 Shutout
#31 Karri Ramo 0-0-0, 2.31, .889%

Game Analysis:

Were going to lull the opponent to sleep, and while they're napping, put beartraps on their feet, and gently slide the puck into the net. No more than once, any more would be overkill.

Seriously though, this Holmqvist may solve the Lightning goalie issues I'm told. Of course, that's what they said about Denis, and Grahame. By the way, speaking of old Bolts, congrats to Sean Burke for landing in LA. Anyway, the Devils cannot make another young/backup goaltender look like Patrick Roy, they have to rattle this kid. They cannot sit back and let St. Louis and Lecavalier do what they want, but we know ol' crazy glue will get the job done. I think this is a very big letdown game for the Devils, I can just feel it.

Prediction: Lightning 4, Devils 1.