New Jersey is in the third wild card spot with a 29-25-4 record and 62 points.

"From now on, there are only big games. We focus on the next one."

New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier said that after his team's 5-1 loss to the New York Rangers on Thursday night. With a back-to-back on the horizon against the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning, importance was placed on Sunday's afternoon tilt against Tampa, a team New Jersey is chasing in the playoff race.

Both clubs were on the second half of a back-to-back, with each winning their respective game on Saturday afternoon. On Sunday, the Lightning left Newark with two vital points as they handed the Devils a 4-1 loss in front of 16,514 fans at Prudential Center.

It was a low event first period with Devils' goaltender Akira Schmid making nine saves on nine shots.

The Lightning opened the scoring 1:27 into the middle frame. The sequence began with a defensive zone face-off loss for New Jersey. Tampa sustained pressure in the offensive zone, and Victor Hedman's snap shot beat Schmid for his 10th goal of the season. Nikita Kucherov and Brandon Hagel earned the helpers.

Tampa extended their lead to 2-0 with Brayden Point's 30th goal. The center banked the puck off Schmid's skate and into the net. Hedman and Kucherov quickly earned their second points of the afternoon as each was credited with an assist.

The Devils pulled within one on the power play. Tyler Toffoli scored his team-leading 25th goal of the season. Jack Hughes and Luke Hughes tallied the assists.

The Lightning entered the second period with a 2-1 lead and a 19-16 shot advantage over the Devils.

A little over nine minutes into the third period, Hagel's wrist shot beat Schmid to extend Tampa's lead. Point earned his second point of the night while Kucherov tallied his third.

Tampa hit the empty net with 1:35 left, sealing New Jersey's fate.

Kucherov became the first player to reach and surpass 100 points, earning four points Sunday afternoon.

Schmid made 24 saves on 27 shots for a .885 save percentage.

UP NEXT: The Devils will travel to California and face the San Jose Sharks on Feb. 27.

LINES:

Timo Meier - Nico Hischier - Jesper Bratt

Tyler Toffoli - Jack Hughes - Dawson Mercer

Ondrej Palat - Erik Haula - Curtis Lazar

Alexander Holtz - Tomas Nosek - Brian Halonen

Jonas Siegenthaler - John Marino

Kevin Bahl - Simon Nemec

Luke Hughes - Colin Miller

Akira Schmid

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