Lightning Score Five Unanswered Goals, Defeat Devils 6-3 | GAME STORY

Victor Hedman broke the third period 3-3 tie with 12:32 remaining in the game as the Lightning struck back after the Devils had built a 3-1 lead just 1:48 into the second period.
Tampa Bay scored five unanswered goals, defeating New Jersey 6-3 and spoiling Dawson Mercer's first career three-point night.
Building their 3-1 lead on goals from Dawson Mercer, Yegor Sharangovich and Jack Hughes, but the Lightning showed just why they are the two-time defending champions, the game felt like two-in-one with New Jersey capitalizing on their chances in the first period and then the Lightning woke up.
On top of scoring five unanswered goals the final three goals came in a three-minute span that chased Jon Gillies from the net, and served the Devils a 6-3 loss.

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The Devils visit the Pittsburgh Penguins on Feb. 24 after an eight-day break. The game can be seen on MSG+ and heard on the Devils Hockey Network, including right here at NewJerseyDevils.com. Puck drop is 7:08 p.m. ET.
The Devils next home game is against the Vancouver Canucks on Feb. 28 at 7:30 p.m.
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Here are some observations from the game...
- Before the game, Jimmy Vesey warned of taking the foot off the gas, or lapses in concentration against the Lightning because they are the high-octane team that has the experience and ability to make their opponent pay. In the final five minutes of the second period, the tide suddenly turned on New Jersey, with two quick goals by the Lightning to tie the game at three. Missed coverage against Steven Stamkos set the Lightning's wheels in motion, his shot threading the needle past Jon Gillies as Nico Hischier was attempting to block the shot. Alex Killorn would take little time after his teammate, evening the score just 40 seconds later. That would ultimately set up the final 20 minutes as winner-takes-all. - With such a young team and so many players drafted high in the NHL draft, the Devils roster is filled with young players who are perhaps not used to being a part of a hockey season where the results aren't where they want them to be, and their contribution may not solely be able to get a team out of a jam. It's all part of the learning process, as Damon Severson spoke to this evening, aware that some young players may be experiencing this type of frustration for the first time in their hockey careers.

"Some of the young guys, a lot of the young guys for that matter, that are high draft picks that we have on our team are used to winning," Severson said after the game. "or they're used to being the guys scoring goals and making plays. It's a hard league, so guys learn quick, and the quicker guys learn, the better off they're going to be, not only now but in the long run. You can definitely sense a little frustration there."

- Tomas Tatar was asked after the game if this game felt like the difference between a two-time Stanley Cup winning group and a young group beginning to find their way. Here is what he had to say:

"Yeah, it is, with a team like that even if they are down 3-1, they know how to score and remain in the game, which is something you know, something on the other side, us, we have to not put our feet off the gas. You have to know they are going to be coming. You know, for example, Tampa maybe learned the hard to to know that, they lost a few years ago zero games against Columbus and you know the next time they become Stanley Cup champions.

"These are the types of games as a player," Tatar continued, "the kind of situation as a player you have to go through, and that's probably the only way you're going to learn it. I know it's not easy, you know, on a player, but everything comes with experience."

- It was a first in Dawson Mercer's career... credited with a goal he didn't even score. Mercer was credited with his 11th goal of the season when the Lightning scored an own-goal at 8:27 of the first period. The goal also registered the first shot on net between the two teams, who both finished with low shot totals after 20 minutes, New Jersey with the 8-4 edge.

The Devils had a strong first period with the advantage in shot attempts with 20, compared to Tampa's 8, and also in scoring chances, 15-5.

- Safe to say that as Lindy Ruff has had to rejig his lines with a couple of forwards out of the lineup, putting Jack Hughes, Dawson Mercer and Yegor Sharangovich has worked out pretty well. On Tuesday night the three players combined for seven points. Mercer has played most of his rookie season at center, but his versatility continues to reveal itself, not missing a single beat with the switch to the wing. - Andrei Vasilevskiy, the Lightning goaltender, is often referred to as the best, if not one of the best, currently playing in the NHL. The netminder for Tampa Bay has back-stopped his team to two-straight Stanley Cups, and yet, there's just something about the New Jersey Devils that doesn't sit well with the two-time champion. This season, in the combined three games between the two teams, the Devils have nine times beat Vasilevskiy for a goal. That's the most of any single team this season. - Jack Hughes has now tied Jesper Bratt for the team lead in goals with 14 as he continues to build on his career-high. Hughes' 14 goals have come in just 30 appearances this season. - After six two-point games for Mercer, he completed the first three-point game of his career with a goal and two assists.