Lightning score early, often in rout of Devils

Oliver Bjorkstrand scored two goals and set up another and Nikita Kucherov notched four assists, fueling the Tampa Bay Lightning to an 8-4 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Thursday in Newark, N.J.

Jake Guentzel collected one goal and two assists and Brandon Hagel, Brayden Point and defenseman Darren Raddysh had one of each. Nick Paul scored his 100th career goal and Pontus Holmberg also tallied to propel the Lightning to their second straight win.

Jonas Johansson made 33 saves for Tampa Bay, which handed New Jersey its sixth loss in its last seven games overall and fifth in a row at home.

Paul Cotter scored a goal in his second straight game and added an assist for the Devils, while defenseman Luke Hughes, Jesper Bratt and Angus Crookshank each scored a goal.

Jake Allen turned aside 23 shots in relief of Jacob Markstrom, who yielded three goals on seven shots before exiting the contest.

Prior to the game, both clubs announced that they'd be without the services of a star player. Tampa Bay captain Victor Hedman was placed on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury, while New Jersey forward Timo Meier had taken a leave of absence.

Paul's wrist shot from the left hash mark opened the scoring 2:57 into the first period before Raddysh doubled the advantage 51 seconds later after unleashing a blast from the point.

Hughes halved his team's deficit exactly seven minutes into the first period. He accepted a feed from fellow defenseman Brenden Dillon and quickly spun away from Lightning forward Scott Sabourin before wiring a shot from the right circle that sailed inside the far post.

The momentum was short-lived as Holmberg's backhand shot slid between the pads of Markstrom at 7:56 of the first period, prompting the goaltender's exit.

Guentzel cleaned up a loose puck on the doorstep with five minutes remaining in the first period before an unmarked Bjorkstrand tallied at 6:19 of the second to give the Lightning a 5-1 lead.

Bratt, Crookshank and Cotter each scored to cut New Jersey's deficit to three goals, but Bjorkstrand converted on the power play to cap the scoring with 4:03 to play in the third period.

--Field Level Media