Devils Fall to Tampa | GAME STORY

TAMPA, Fla. - After opening their three-game Sunshine State swing with back-to-back victories against the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, the Devils were looking for a sweep at Tampa.

But the Lightning struck for a 4-0 win at Amalie Arena Saturday night.

Nick Paul, Darren Raddysh, Victor Hedman and Anthony Cirelli scored for the Lightning. Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy posted a 29-save shutout.

“I thought we played a good game. I thought we played a smart game,” Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe said. “We were right there. They were a little bit better in a lot of small details in the game. When you add them up it’s enough for them to get one, two, three and pull away from us. I wouldn’t change a lot about our game but little things here and there.”

Here are some observations from the game:

• The game was very tight and evenly matched most of the way. It was a 1-0 Tampa lead heading into the third period. That’s when the Lightning were able to pull away, but it was extremely close until then. The Devils just couldn’t find an answer to beating goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy.

“I think it was a fairly good game for both teams,” forward Jesper Bratt said. “Both teams limited each other’s chances. We both played good defensively. I think those small details, they found a way to score. They funneled pucks and got in front of Marky’s eyes. That’s how they scored their goals and how we didn’t score our goals.”

• The Devils finished their three-game Florida swing with a 2-1-0 record.

• Goaltender Jacob Markstrom had one of his finest performances of the season against the Lightning. He had to make a few point-blank saves on Brandon Hagel and Conor Geekie. But his best save came on Paul. Bolts forward Jake Guentzel had the puck with space the slot. Markstrom was coming off his post to get set. But Guentzel passed the puck all the way to Paul, who was standing in the low far circle, for a one-timed snapshot. Markstrom did a split to get across and reached out with the glove to snag the shot.

“It was just desperation. I was fortunate enough,” Markstrom said.

• Tampa goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy was honored prior to the game for becoming the fastest goalie in NHL history to reach 300 career wins (490 games played). He received a golden stick as a trophy. He also became the fastest goaltender to 301 victories with a win against the Devils.