NHL

DOWD NEEDS MORE MINUTES

TAMPA – The Devils brought in Jim Dowd in on the strength of his playoff showing with the Avalanche last year, and all he’s done is come through in the clutch whenever needed. They’re missing their own bet by limiting him to penalty-killing and the fourth line that hardly plays.

“What we’re doing is best for the team,” Lou Lamoriello said. “These things we discuss and talk about and come up with what we think is the best decision. We could come up with a lot of alternatives.”When Lamoriello benched rookie Travis Zajac in the third period of Saturday’s 3-2 loss in New Jersey, Dowd received a shift between Jamie Langenbrunner and Zach Parise. They nearly scored, and more impressively, controlled play in the offensive zone. But that was it.

Dowd wouldn’t say anything on the subject except to express support for the coaches’ decisions. Still, with the series tied 1-1 for Game 3 here tonight, they could use some spark. And that’s why they signed him.

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Devils goalie Martin Brodeur said the Lightning are dumping pucks in the corners and using their speed to reach them first, or at least press the Devils’ defensemen.

He said they wouldn’t have been able to do it if the rules hadn’t been changed to prohibit him from playing the puck in the corner.

“It [ticks] me off,” Brodeur said.