Stamkos scores twice, Lightning beat Devils 4-3 in shootout
Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos, second from left, skates back to the bench after celebrating his goal past New Jersey Devils goaltender Akira Schmid (40) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, March 16, 2023, in Newark, N.J. The Lightning won 4-3 in a shootout. Credit: AP/Adam Hunger
NEWARK, N.J. — Steven Stamkos had two goals and an assist in regulation, and Alex Killorn and Ross Colton each scored in the shootout to give the Tampa Bay Lightning a 4-3 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night.
Andrei Vasilevskiy made 26 saves for Tampa Bay, which won its second in a row over New Jersey after a victory Tuesday night.
Timo Meier had two goals in the third period and Tomas Tatar also scored for New Jersey. Akira Schmid made 21 saves in his 12th start this season.
Colton, a New Jersey native playing in his home state, scored his 16th goal of the year 1:09 into the game to give the Lightning a 1-0 lead.
The Devils broke through midway through the second period when Nico Hischier found Tatar with a cross-ice pass, and Tatar scored his 16th goal to it at 1.
Shortly after fending off a two-man advantage during a power play, Tampa Bay took a 2-1 lead 18:11 into the second period when Stamkos scored his 28th goal.
Meier scored his 33rd goal of the season on the rebound to tie it again midway through the third period.
Tampa Bay Lightning center Ross Colton (79) is congratulated by teammates after scoring against New Jersey Devils goaltender Akira Schmid during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, March 16, 2023, in Newark, N.J. The Lightning won 4-3 in a shootout. Credit: AP/Adam Hunger
Stamkos answered with another go-ahead goal 15:13 into the third. But the Devils would tie it yet again when New Jersey took advantage of a power play and pulled the goaltender, and Meier scored off the faceoff in Tampa Bay’s zone 17:44 into the third and forcing overtime.
NOTES: This was two of three games between the teams in the next six days. The mini-series will wrap up Sunday at Tampa Bay. ... New Jersey celebrated St. Patrick’s Day a day early, with the team wearing green warmup jerseys. There were live bagpipes performances during pregame and intermission.
UP NEXT Lightning: Host the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night.
Devils: At the Florida Panthers on Saturday night. —
Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos is congratulated for his goal against the New Jersey Devils by Alex Killorn (17) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, March 16, 2023, in Newark, N.J. The Lightning won 4-3 in a shootout. Credit: AP/Adam Hunger
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