The Tampa Bay Lightning, coming off a lethargic victory over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday night, were right back at it on Sunday, hoping to show a bit more fight against a struggling New Jersey Devils team. It was the Devils who would take advantage of a tired Lightning team late this game, beating the Lightning 6-3.
The Lightning got off to the quick start they were looking for in this one when Teddy Purcell opened the scoring. Steve Downie carried the puck down the wing, and threw it to the front of the net. It deflected off of Mattias Ritola, right to Purcell, who had no problem beating Devils goaltender Martin Broduer to give the Bolts an early 1-0 lead. The goal 2:36 into the game was Purcell's 7th of the season.
The Devils would answer right back later in the first when Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman got caught trying to hold the puck in the offensive zone. David Clarkson ended up with a breakaway and beat Dan Ellis to tie the game at one. Clarkson's goal at the 5:55 mark of the first was his 6th goal of the year.
This article appears in Jan 6-12, 2011.