Daily Primer Oct. 29: Lightning look to stay hot

Tuesday, 10.29.2013 / 3:00 AM NHL.com

Steven Stamkos thinks the Tampa Bay Lightning aren't getting enough attention for their fast start to the season, and he's perfectly OK with it.

"It's probably the quietest 8-3 record in the League, and we like it that way," Stamkos told reporters after the Lightning won their third straight with a 4-3 shootout victory against the Florida Panthers on Sunday.

Tampa Bay will look to make it four in a row Tuesday night, when it continues its three-game road trip against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center (7:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN, TSN2). The Lightning have been led by Stamkos, who has eight goals and nine assists in 11 games.

"You look at our schedule, and we've played some pretty tough teams," he said.

Here's a look at all of the action Tuesday night:

New York Rangers at New York Islanders -- Two nights after being traded by the Buffalo Sabres, left wing Thomas Vanek makes his debut for the Islanders at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Hoping to shake things up in his dressing room, Isles general manager Garth Snow traded Matt Moulson, a first-round pick at the 2014 NHL Draft and a second-round selection in 2015 for the 29-year-old Vanek, who will skate on the top line Tuesday with John Tavares and Kyle Okposo. The Rangers, meanwhile, have won three of their first 10 games. They dropped their home opener Monday night, a 2-0 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. Speedy left wing Carl Hagelin is expected to make his season debut after undergoing shoulder surgery during the summer.

Anaheim Ducks at Philadelphia Flyers -- Anaheim continues its eight-game road trip in Philadelphia; the Ducks have won their past two after starting the trip 0-2-0. Center Saku Koivu and goaltender Viktor Fasth have returned to Anaheim to be evaluated by doctors and will not play against the Flyers. Philadelphia is 3-7-0 in its first 10 games, but will attempt to earn its third straight win Tuesday.

Dallas Stars at Montreal Canadiens -- Stars coach Lindy Ruff doesn't have much time to celebrate his triumphant return to Buffalo on Monday, when Dallas earned a 4-3 victory at First Niagara Center against Ruff's former team. The Stars complete their quick two-game trip against Montreal, which spoiled the Rangers' home opener Monday at Madison Square Garden behind a 27-save performance from backup goalie Peter Budaj.

Tampa Bay Lightning at New Jersey Devils -- Tampa Bay brings a three-game winning streak to Prudential Center, where it can potentially gain sole possession of first place in the Atlantic Division. The Lightning made it three in a row with a 4-3 shootout victory against the Florida Panthers on Sunday. New Jersey has been better of late, thanks to its power play. After scoring one power-play goal in the first six games of the season, the Devils have connected for eight in the past five.

Ottawa Senators at Chicago Blackhawks -- Ottawa is hoping for better results after holding a players-only meeting, led by captain Jason Spezza, on Monday morning. The Senators have dropped three of their past four games, including a 5-2 loss on home ice against the San Jose Sharks on Sunday. Ottawa has scored four goals in the three losses. Chicago is playing its second game in as many nights; the Blackhawks snapped a two-game skid by earning a 5-1 victory on the road against the Minnesota Wild on Monday.

Winnipeg Jets at St. Louis Blues -- The Blues host the Jets for the first time since 1996, when Keith Tkachuk played for the original Winnipeg franchise that relocated to Phoenix. The Jets are hoping their power play provides better results Tuesday - it is 0-for-26 over the past eight games and 5-for-49 overall. St. Louis will be looking to build off a 6-1 win against the Nashville Predators on Saturday. The big win was backed by two goals from Alexander Steen.

Toronto Maple Leafs at Edmonton Oilers -- Toronto has been outshot in nine straight games, but that didn't stop the Maple Leafs from earning a 4-1 victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night. James Reimer made 37 saves for the Leafs. Edmonton fell to 2-6 in one-goal games when it suffered a 2-1 shootout loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday at Staples Center. Richard Bachman stopped 47 of 48 shots (including all 23 he faced in the third period) in the frustrating loss.

Los Angeles Kings at Phoenix Coyotes -- Los Angeles peppered Edmonton with 48 shots Sunday, but it needed the shootout to escape with a 2-1 victory. Mike Richards had the Kings' only goal in regulation and then provided another goal during the breakaway competition. Phoenix has earned at least a point in eight of its past nine games. The Coyotes beat Edmonton 5-4 on Saturday afternoon at Jobing.com Arena.

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