Devils 5, Lightning 2
Ilya Kovalchuk tallied twice as the visiting New Jersey Devils scored four times in the first period and cruised to a 5-2 triumph over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday.
Brian Rolston and Travis Zajac collected a goal and an assist apiece and Patrik Elias also tallied as New Jersey (12-29-2) defeated Tampa Bay for the second time this week. The Devils skated to a 6-3 victory on Sunday.
Martin Brodeur turned aside 30 shots to improve to 7-18-1 this season. The future Hall of Famer has won nine of his last 10 outings against the Lightning.
Steven Stamkos opened the scoring with his 32nd goal of the season at 5:06 of the first period. The tally tied him with Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby for the NHL lead.
Kovalchuk quickly leveled the contest at the 7:59 mark and Rolston scored for the first time in 13 games just 80 seconds later. Elias and Zajac then extended the cushion to three goals with quick strikes against the Lightning.
Martin St. Louis collected a goal and an assist for Southeast Division-leading Tampa Bay (26-14-5), which fell to 13-4-2 at the St. Pete Times Forum this season.
Dwayne Roloson allowed four goals on nine shots to suffer his second loss in five outings as a member of the Lightning. The 41-year-old netminder joined the club via a trade with the New York Islanders on Jan. 1.
Dan Ellis finished up and turned aside 15 shots for Tampa Bay.