Lightning Vs. Devils: Tampa Bay Falls At Home To New Jersey, 5-4, As Dwayne Roloson Is Chased

While they may have lost three of four games entering their matchup against the New Jersey Devils on Monday night, the Tampa Bay Lightning were looking to rebound at the St. Pete Times Forum where they have enjoyed much of their success in this 2011 season. But the woes from the road continued, as the Bolts fell to the Devils 5-4.

The Devils jumped out to a two goal lead on scores by Petr Sykora and Dainius Zubrus. Steve Downie and Blair Jones, however, would even it up scoring just a minute and twenty seconds apart to tie it at two before the end of the first period.

Zach Parise completely took over the game in the second period to give the Devils a three goal lead. Parise scored his ninth of the season for a 3-2 lead, and then assisted on Ilya Kovalchuck's 9th of the year as well as Adam Henrique's shorthanded goal. Parise's assists were beautiful, showing amazing patience on the breakaway to beat Mathieu Garon. Garon replaced starting netminder Dwayne Roloson, who was pulled after Parise notched Jersey's third goal of the night just 56 seconds into the second period. It was a disheartening showing for Roloson.

The Bolts, who outshot the Devils by 14, tried to make it interesting in the third, closing it to a one goal lead. Steven Stamkos led the attack, scoring on his first shot of the night nine and a half minutes into the final period. The goal was set up by Dominic Moore, who did yeoman's work in the corner to keep the chance alive. Moore's work moved the puck out of the corner and when Patrik Elias fanned on a clear attempt, the puck landed right on the stick of Stamkos, who went top shelf from point blank range to beat Johan Hedberg.

Stamkos added his second goal of the night with 33 seconds remaining, closing Tampa to within one goal. With Garon out of the net, Stamkos took a cross box feed from Pavel Kubina, one timing it home for his 18th goal of the season. Stamkos is now tied for the league lead. But the Bolts final rush would fall short, as the Devils burned the final 30 seconds and sealed the 5-4 win.

For more news, analysis, and discussion on the Lightning, visit SB Nation's Bolts blog, Raw Charge.

Lightning Vs. Devils Score Update: Tampa Bay Trails New Jersey 5-2 After Two Periods

It's been an ugly first two periods at the St. Pete Times Forum as the New Jersey Devils have raced out to a 5-2 lead after two periods. While the Lightning have peppered Jersey goalie Johan Hedberg with 27 shots through two periods, the Devils have the three goal lead despite ten less shots on net. Dwayne Roloson got the start in goal for the Bolts, but he has already been replaced by Mathieu Garon.

Zach Parise has been huge for the Devils, breaking a 2-2 tie and giving New Jersey a two goal lead with his 9th score of the season and a beautiful assist on Ilya Kovalchuck's 9th of the year. Steve Downie and Blair Jones tallied Tampa's two goals, evening it up after the Bolts fell behind by two just six minutes into the first. But the Devils would take it right back in an uninspired second period for Tampa.

Tonight marked the first time since 1992 that the Devils scored goals in the opening minute of both the first and second periods. The Lightning will need to break through, capitalizing on the shot disparity, to get back into the game in the third period.

For more news, analysis, and discussion on the Lightning, visit SB Nation's Bolts blog, Raw Charge.

Tampa Bay Lightning Face New Jersey Devils, Looking For Redemption

Dwayne Roloson will be in net tonight as the Tampa Bay Lightning look to bounce back against the New Jersey Devils.