Opinion
3 min read

Bolts and Devils Clash in a Fiery Duel at the Prudential Center

As the Tampa Bay Lightning gear up to face off against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center, fans are buzzing with anticipation. The Bolts have been on a rollercoaster of performance lately, but their recent victory over the Boston Bruins in a nail-biting shootout on February 14th showcased their resilience under pressure.


Jan 27, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Nicholas Paul (20) skates with the puck against the New Jersey Devils during the third period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

The Lightning's ability to maintain composure during even-strength play has been commendable. With an impressive 49 percent faceoff win rate and a solid defensive effort that blocked 19 shots against the Bruins, they've proven capable of holding their ground. However, it's worth noting that despite these efforts, they ended with a minus-five plus/minus rating—a statistic they'll need to improve upon if they want to dominate in Newark.


Power plays could be where TB makes its mark. They capitalized on one of three opportunities against Boston and will likely look for similar chances against NJ. Their powerplay success rate stands out when compared to their previous game against Columbus Blue Jackets on February 11th, where two out of three powerplays resulted in goals.


Jan 27, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Brandon Hagel (38) passes the puck against the New Jersey Devils during the first period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

Goaltending remains one of TB's strong suits; saving all nine shorthanded shots faced in Boston is no small feat. This level of performance between the pipes will be crucial as they prepare for NJ's offense.


On the other side of the ice, while less is known about NJ's recent performances from this data set alone, it would be unwise for TB to underestimate them—especially when playing as guests at Prudential Center.


Jan 27, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) shoots against the New Jersey Devils during the third period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

Looking back at Tampa Bay’s rough patch during their encounter with New York Islanders on February 9th serves as a reminder that hockey can be unpredictable. That day saw them concede six goals while only managing two themselves—a stark contrast to their more recent outings.


For fans eager to see if Tampa Bay can continue its upward trajectory or if New Jersey will halt them in their tracks, mark your calendars for February 25th at 1:00 PM EST (6:00 PM GMT). The game promises high stakes and intense action as both teams vie for supremacy on ice—don't miss it! Fans can catch all the action live on TNT (channel 245), Max via internet streaming services or MSGSN (channel 635) for local viewers.

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