| |
RECAP
|
BOX SCORE
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- The New Jersey Devils weren't all that
pleased with the win that gave them the NHL's longest unbeaten
streak this season.
Sergei Brylin scored the go-ahead goal with just under eight
minutes left and the Devils moved to nine straight without a loss
Tuesday night with a 6-5 victory over the struggling Tampa Bay Lightning.
|  | | New Jersey's Sergei Brylin celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning. |
The Devils' run (7-0-2) is the team's best since a franchise
record-tying 13-game run two years ago.
"Unfortunately you guys didn't see it, but we've been playing
pretty good hockey," New Jersey coach Robbie Ftorek said. "We
just didn't play a real good game. Tampa Bay played a pretty good
game, you got to give some credit to them. The guys worked hard to
make some things happen."
The Lightning, who battled back from a two-goal third-period
deficit, are in the midst of a 12-game winless drought (0-10-2).
It's their fourth winless streak of 10 or more games in the past
three seasons.
"I'm not a gypsy, but if these guys battle like that they're
going to break this," Tampa Bay coach Steve Ludzik said.
"Tonight, it was the last shot that won it."
Brylin scored a rebound goal at 12:13, just 39 seconds after
Tampa Bay's Paul Mara tied it 5-5.
"It's always nice to go out there, and get something done,"
Brylin said. "It makes you feel good."
Patrik Elias, who has eight goals and 11 points during an
eight-game point streak, and Brad Bombardir scored 25 seconds apart
late in the second period as New Jersey improved to 11-1-1 in its
past 13 games against Tampa Bay.
The victory was the Devils' season-high fifth straight.
Tampa Bay took out years of frustration against Devils goalie
Martin Brodeur. The Lightning scored three times -- including twice
in 21 seconds by Robert Petrovicky and Bruce Gardiner -- to take a
3-2 first-period lead.
Brodeur entered the game 16-3-2 with a 1.64 goals-against average against Tampa Bay.
Mike Sillinger had Tampa Bay's other first-period goal. Scott Gomez, the only rookie to lead his team in scoring, and Claude
Lemieux scored in the opening period for the Devils.
"This game is all about results ... all about winning,"
Sillinger said. "We've played a dozen hockey games, and have two
points to show for it."
Bobby Holik put New Jersey up 5-3 in the third period before
Todd Warriner's goal got the Lightning back within one.
Brodeur and Dan Cloutier made outstanding saves midway through
the second. Brodeur stopped Sillinger on a breakaway, and Cloutier
robbed Randy McKay with a diving stick save.
Brendan Morrison had three assists for the Devils.
New Jersey defenseman Scott Stevens -- who missed his second
consecutive game -- and enforcer Krzysztof Oliwa sat out with the
flu.
Devils center Jason Arnott left the game in the first period
with back spasms and did not return.
| |
ALSO SEE
NHL Scoreboard
New Jersey Clubhouse
Tampa Bay Clubhouse
Report: Devils to be sold to Yanks-Nets venture
RECAPS
Toronto 3
Boston 2
Philadelphia 4
Carolina 3
Montreal 3
Detroit 0
New Jersey 6
Tampa Bay 5
Colorado 4
Nashville 2
Dallas 3
Edmonton 2
Ottawa 4
Los Angeles 3
St. Louis 5
San Jose 2
|
