Offensive eruption!

The New Jersey Devils battled back from three different deficits to Ryan Malone,err Tampa Bay Lightning and used their season high six goal output for a 6-4 win over the Lightning at the Rock.
Six different Devils lit the lamp as part of the offensive eruption.
Ilya Kovalchuk (33),David Clarkson (29),Dainius Zubrus (17 shorthanded),Alexei Ponikarovsky (13),Jacob Josefson (2) and Marek Zidlicky (2 power play) divided the scoring among them.
New Jersey travels to Raleigh on Saturday against the Hurricanes....

Hell Raisers

1) The Devils could have clinched a playoff berth tonight had Washington lost in Boston.
However,the Capitals won a shootout and kept the Devils from locking up a spot.
I would not say that I am concerned as the Devils would have to lose all four of their remaining games in regulation and Washington would have to win all four to earn a tie,so it is just delayed for a bit.

2)  Dainius Zubrus's shorthanded goal was the teams 15th of the season when down a man to lead the league in that department.
When a team feels comfortable playing their breakaway threats such as Kovalchuk and Parise on penalty kills,that can open up the shorthanded chances...

3) Marek Zidlicky's goal on the power play was what the Devils hoped for when they acquired him from Minnesota,but the key was the Ilya Kovalchuk pass after drawing the Lightning defenders to him.
If the defensemen can take advantage of the openings created by Kovalchuk on the PP,the Devils could be quite dangerous....

4) Good news for the defense-the Lightning only had 20 shots on goal,which is a very acceptable total.
Bad news-four went and the three Ryan Malone goals were more on the defense than Martin Brodeur.

5) Looked like Bryce Salvador was going to get a rare goal with a blast from the point,but the goal was changed to Alexei Ponikarovsky after the replay showed he tipped the shot in.
Unlucky for Salvador,who seldom scores.

6) Anton Volchenkov returned to the lineup from injury and Adam Larsson was once again a healthy scratch for Peter Harrold.
Bet on Larsson playing in the playoffs for Harrold when the time comes....

Photo Credit:AP Photo