Devils at Lightning
THE STORY: The Tampa Bay Lightning have struggled at times on defense and in goal through the last month, and their offense hasn’t exactly been perking. The Lightning have scored more than two goals only twice in the last 15 games, going 5-10. Marty St. Louis being out indefinitely with facial and nasal fractures won’t help the attack either. Tampa Bay, which has lost six of seven, will try to turn things around when the New Jersey Devils visit Monday. New Jersey has had similar offensive troubles, scoring only 17 goals in the last nine games and winning just two of its last seven. The Devils have won 14 of the last 17 games against Tampa Bay, including a 4-2 triumph in Tampa on Nov. 19.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, Versus, TSN2, RIS
ABOUT THE DEVILS (14-13-1): New Jersey seemed to be on its way with an 8-3-0 stretch, but the Devils have not built on that in falling back to .500. They are balanced offensively, led by Patrik Elias with nine goals and 23 points. But they will need more from Zach Parise and Ilya Kovalchuk going forward. Defenseman Anton Volchenkov missed the Montreal game with a hand injury is not likely to play. Johan Hedberg is expected to start in goal, with Marty Brodeur slated for Tuesday in Florida.
ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (12-15-2): Tampa Bay was able to get a power-play goal in the 5-2 loss to Philadelphia on Saturday, but the Lightning are 2 for 23 with the man advantage in the last eight games to drop to 24th in the league. Vincent Lecavalier scored his first goal in eight games Saturday. Steven Stamkos, who leads the team with 16 goals and 30 points, has no points in the last two. Defenseman Pavel Kubina could be ready after missing the last four games with a lower-body injury.
OVERTIME:
1. New Jersey allowed its first two power-play goals at home in the past two games, but still leads the NHL in penalty killing at 93.4 percent.
2. The Lightning, who led the league in 5-on-3 goals with 11 in 2010-11, are 1 for 8 this season.
3. The Devils have scored one goal or less in nine of 28 games.