The New Jersey Devils have an opportunity to punch their postseason ticket on Thursday night when they host the Tampa Bay Lightning, and it comes in the form of securing at least a point of their combined with a regulation loss by the Washington Capitals, who take on the defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins on the road.
The Devils know the challenge at hand with Tampa, and that's slowing down Lightning center Steven Stamkos, who ripped his 54th and 55th goals of the season the last time he took the ice. That puts him nine tallies clear of the rest of the NHL, and he's remained the lone bright spot in an otherwise downtrodden season for his team.
New Jersey has taken two of three match ups with Tampa this season, but the Lightning beat the Devils on Feb. 26, the last time they squared off.
Game Time: 7 p.m. EST
TV Coverage: MSG
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