NHL

Devils struck by Lightning in 3-0 defeat

TAMPA, Fla. — Needing all the points they can get, the Devils came up empty on a Florida road trip after Saturday night’s 3-0 loss to the Lightning.

Martin Brodeur made 29 saves for the Devils, who were coming off a 5-3 loss Friday night against the Panthers. Brodeur had beaten Tampa Bay twice earlier this season, allowing just one goal overall.

“It’s all about winning,” Brodeur said. “It doesn’t matter if I feel good in there. We didn’t get the win. On a personal note, I was seeing the puck pretty good.”

The Devils are 11th in the Eastern Conference.

“We all know what’s at stake,” New Jersey coach Peter DeBoer said. “It’s a disappointing trip, but the season is not over.”

After J.T. Brown had his penalty shot stopped by Brodeur at 11:19, B.J. Crombeen, positioned in the slot, redirected Michael Kostka’s shot past the Devils goalie for a 1-0 lead 1:07 later.

Kostka made it 2-0 when he was left alone just outside the crease and put a back-hander past Brodeur with 3:02 left in the second.

Thompson scored at 16:41 of the third.

The Devils had a goal by Jon Merrill disallowed in the first because of incidental goalie contact.

“From the bench I couldn’t tell,” DeBoer said. “When I watched the replay, their guy obviously was the one who interfered with the goalie. So it’s disappointing that that call wasn’t properly made. It’s water under the bridge. We’ve got to bounce back.”