Newark, NJ (Sports Network) – David Clarkson started a five-goal third period with his second tally of the game as the New Jersey Devils doubled up the Tampa Bay Lightning, 6-3, at Prudential Center.
Patrik Elias registered a goal and two assists for the Devils, who won for just the third time since the beginning of December (3-15-0). Ilya Kovalchuk and Brian Rolston both collected two assists, while Martin Brodeur made 33 saves for New Jersey, which posted a season high for goals in one game.
Teddy Purcell and Ryan Malone scored in the first period for Southeast Division-leading Tampa Bay, which has dropped two of three. Dan Ellis allowed four goals on 24 shots in defeat.
New Jersey, which entered play with a 1-25-0 record when trailing after 40 minutes, pulled even on Clarkson’s power-play marker at 4:14 of the third period.
The Devils grabbed a 3-2 lead nearly four minutes later when Henrik Tallinder’s bid from the left circle deflected in off teammate Jason Arnott during a 4-on-4 situation. Dainius Zubrus made it 4-2 at 14:06 and Elias scored into an empty-net with 1:15 remaining.
Dominic Moore lit the lamp for Tampa Bay shortly thereafter, but Nick Palmieri hit the still-vacated net to seal the win. It was his first NHL goal.
Purcell jumped on a puck in the crease to give Tampa Bay a 1-0 lead at the 2:36 mark of the first period. It didn’t take long for the Devils to pull even as Clarkson scored on a breakaway backhander 3:19 later.
The Lightning notched the go-ahead goal on a power play late in the first period. Vincent Lecavalier dished to Malone below the right circle and he whipped a shot between the pads of Brodeur with 3:59 remaining.
Tampa Bay went 1-1-2 against New Jersey last season…Tallinder finished with a plus-4 rating. He was a frosty minus-26 entering Sunday…Both teams were 1- for-4 on the power play.