April 16 - NEW JERSEY DEVILS 5 VS TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING 2
The New Jersey Devils defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning, 5-2, in the third game of their best-of-seven series and now trail in the series, 2-1. New Jersey improved to 123-108 in the team's playoff history.
4/18 Round 1 • Game 4 Notes: Devils vs. Lightning
New Jersey Devils vs Tampa Bay Lightning 7:30 PM ET • Prudential Center • MSG+ • The One Jersey Network • GOLF • SN • TVAS2
Cory Schneider started his first game in the playoffs and stopped 34 of 36 shots that he faced. Schneider improved to 2-4 in his playoff career with a 2.41 GAA and a .928 SV%. Schneider has stopped 44 of 46 shots (.957 SV%) in two games played this series.
Taylor Hall recorded three-points (1G-2A) and his second multi-point game this postseason. Hall now has five points (2G-3A) in three career playoff games. Hall opened the scoring for the Devils at 12:42 of the second period and had assists on Will Butcher's power play goal and Stefan Noesen's GWG.
Butcher scored his first career playoff goal on a five-on-three power play to tie the game, 4:03 into the third period. Butcher's goal marks the first time a Devils rookie defenseman has scored a playoff goal since Adam Larsson, in Game 2 of the 2012 Conference Semifinals at Philadelphia (Credit NHLPR).
Noesen netted the game winner 12:55 into the third period, notching his first career playoff goal/point before Blake Coleman (SH-EN) and Ben Lovejoy added empty-net goals to close out the game. Lovejoy's tally marked his first playoff goal as a Devil and the fifth of his career.
Kyle Palmieri and Andy Greene added assists on the goals from Butcher and Noesen.
Marcus Johansson played in his first game since Jan. 23 at Boston (35 regular season & 2 playoff games missed), after sustaining a concussion. Johansson has played in 70 playoff games, posting 9G-21A-30PTS (7PPG) in his career.
Travis Zajac led the Devils with 24:24 TOI.
April 14 - NEW JERSEY DEVILS 3 AT TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING 5
The New Jersey Devils fell to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second game of a best-of-seven series, 5-3. New Jersey trails in the series 2-0.
Ten players have made their playoff debut for the Devils this postseason and New Jersey is now 122-108 in the team's playoff history.
Nico Hischier opened the scoring for the Devils 13:38 into the second period. Hischier's goal made him the youngest player (19 years 100 days) in franchise history to score in a Stanley Cup Playoff game (Credit NHLPR).
Sami Vatanen scored New Jersey's second goal 19:34 into the second period and his sixth career playoff goal. Andy Greene and Cory Schneider picked up the assists on Vatanen's tally. Schneider's assist made him the first Devils goaltender to record an assist since Martin Brodeur in 2012 (5/21/12 Game 4, ECF vs NYR. Credit Craig Seiden WFAN/TOJN Statistician).
Blake Coleman scored the Devils final goal of the game in the third period. It was Coleman's first career playoff goal/point. Travis Zajac and John Moore were credited with the assists.
Keith Kinkaid started in net, but was pulled at 13:12 of the second period. During his time in net, Kinkaid stopped 10 out of 15 shots. Cory Schneider relived Kinkaid, for his first playoff action since the 2013 playoffs, when he played for the Vancouver Canucks. Schneider stopped all 10 shots that he faced.
Zajac and Taylor Hall lead the Devils with 2PTS (1G-1A) each this postseason.
April 12 - NEW JERSEY DEVILS 2 AT TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING 5
The New Jersey Devils fell to the Tampa Bay Lightning, 5-2, after game one of their first round Stanley Cup Playoff series.
Taylor Hall recorded 2PTS (1G-1A) in his first career playoff game. Hall opened the scoring for the Devils with his first career playoff goal/point at 13:55 of the second period. Hall also assisted on Travis Zajac's power play goal, marking Hall's first multi-point game vs the Lightning since Oct. 20, 2014.
Zajac scored the Devils second goal of the game on the power play, and his first playoff goal since Game 5 of the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals. Zajac ranks 20th in Devils playoff history with 27 PTS (11G-16A) in 53 games.
Will Butcher tallied his first NHL playoff point with the secondary assist on Zajac's power play goal.
Keith Kinkaid lost his first career playoff start/game and his first game this season against the Lightning and stopped 27 out of 32 shots (.844%).
Brian Boyle leads all Devils skaters with 107 playoff GP and is the first skater since Petr Sykora (115) and Patrik Elias (138) to enter the playoffs with at least 100 playoff games played. (credit Craig Seiden WFAN/TOJN Statistician)
Sami Vatanen led the Devils with 26:32 TOI, which was his fourth highest total in 41 career playoff games.
