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PREVIEW
The Devils and Lightning meet for the second time this season. The two clubs met just two weeks ago, also in Tampa, where the Lightning beat the Devils in overtime 4-3. Dawson Mercer, Jesper Bratt and Nathan Bastian scored for the Devils while Tyler Raddysh had the overtime winner for the Lightning, Luke Glendenning scored two in regulation and Brayden Point added his 20th goal of the year.
Devils Team Scope:
The Devils will complete a two-game road trip with the stop in Tampa and also begin their week-long break heading into the All-Star Game. Currently four points out of the second and final Wild Card spot (with two games in hand on Detroit who currently occupy the spot), the Devils are seeking out another win on Saturday night to stay in the hunt.
The club continues to deal with a plethora of injuries and managing a lineup filled with call-ups from the Utica Comets.
Forward Justin Dowling made his season debut with the Devils in Carolina, the 33-year-old scored against the Hurricanes for his first NHL tally since 2021. Called up alongside Dowling was defenseman Daniil Misyul who has practiced with the club, but has yet to make his NHL debut.
Lightning Team Scope:
The Lightning will take a two-game win streak into their game against the Devils on Saturday, after a win at home on Thursday against the Coyotes. Tampa Bay currently sits third in the Atlantic Division with 57 points, behind the Florida Panthers (64 pts) and the East-leading Boston Bruins (69 pts).
Forward Nikita Kucherov leads the Lightning with a whopping 83 points in 48 games, having already cracked 30 goals (32) and has 51 assists,. Brayden Point is second in Lightning points with 52.
By the Numbers:
Kucherov has recorded three points in each of his last three home games at Amalie Arena.
Steven Stamkos registered his 1100th NHL point on Thursday night. As a Lightning lifer, he became the first player in club history to reach 1100 points.
Should Justin Dowling play against Tampa, it would mark his 100th career game.
Injuries:
Devils
Hamilton (pectoral muscle - LTIR)
Nosek (foot - IR)
Smith (sprained knee - IR)
J. Hughes (upper-body - week-to-week)
Siegenthaler (broken foot - IR)
Lightning:
Fleury (hand - IR)
Cernak (unknown)
Watson (unknown - IR)
Sergachev (lower-body, IR)
Jeannot (unknown - IR)