New Jersey has an all-time record of 61-32-7-8 versus Tampa.
The New Jersey Devils will begin a three-game road trip Thursday night when they play the Tampa Bay Lightning for the first time this season. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 P.M. The club held a morning skate at 11:30 A.M.
This is a crucial game for the injury-riddled Devils. The Lightning have a one-point lead on the Devils with 45 points. Entering tonight's game, Tampa is in possession of the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Devils @ Lightning - Amalie Arena
The Devils earned a 1-1-1 record versus the Lightning last season. Per the media notes, Timo Meier (two goals, two assists) and Nico Hischier (one goal, three assists) led the Devils with four points against Tampa last season. Jesper Bratt recorded his first career hat trick on Mar. 19, 2023, versus tonight's opponent.
Tampa is fourth in the Atlantic Division (20-17-5). They are coming off a 3-2 overtime win over the LA Kings. Brandon Hagel earned a two-point night along with Nick Perbix, who scored the game-winning goal. It was head coach Jon Cooper's 500th win. The club is 6-4-0 in their last ten games.
- New Jersey's injury list includes Dougie Hamilton (out indefinitely), Tomas Nosek (out indefinitely), Jonas Siegenthaler (broken foot), Timo Meier (mid-body), Ondrej Palat (lower body), and Jack Hughes (upper body).
- Tampa's injury list includes Haydn Fleury (upper body), Mikhail Sergachev (upper body), and Tanner Jeannot (lower body).
- Three New Jersey skaters enter tonight's game on point streaks: Michael McLeod (three games), Curtis Lazar (three games), and Chris Tierney (two games).
- This season, the Lightning have a home record of 12-5-3. On the other side of the ice, the Devils have a road record 12-6-0.
- Tonight, Michael McLeod has the chance to tie his career-high four-game point streak that he earned from Oct. 30, 2022 to Nov. 5, 2022.
- Over his last five starts versus New Jersey, Andrei Vasilevskiy has posted a 4-1-0 record with a .916 save percentage and 2.57 goals against average.
- On Jan. 6, Colin Miller recorded his first career multi-goal game. Per the media notes, he is the lone Devils defenseman who earned a multi-goal game this season.
- Steven Stamkos is riding a four-game point streak versus New Jersey (three goals, three assists). He has picked up 10 points over his last ten outings versus the Devils (five goals, six assists).
Projected Lineup
New Jersey:
Erik Haula - Nico Hischier - Dawson Mercer
Tyler Toffoli - Michael McLeod - Jesper Bratt
Max Willman - Curtis Lazar - Alexander Holtz
Chris Tierney - Shane Bowers - Nathan Bastian
Brendan Smith - Simon Nemec
Luke Hughes - John Marino
Kevin Bahl - Colin Miller
Vitek Vanecek/Nico Daws
Tampa:
Steven Stamkos - Brayden Point - Nikita Kucherov
Brandon Hagel - Anthony Cirelli - Mikey Eyssimont
Alex Barre-Boulet - Nick Paul - Conor Sheary
Austin Watson - Luke Glendening - Tyler Motte
Victor Hedman - Darren Raddysh
Calvin de Haan - Erik Cernak
Emile Lilleberg - Nick Perbix
Andrei Vasilevskiy/Jonas Johansson
Watch & Listen: Tonight's game will be broadcast on MSGSN. Bill Spaulding will handle play-by-play alongside analyst Ken Daneyko and host Erika Wachter. Fans can also listen on the Devils Hockey Network with Matt Loughlin on play-by-play.