Lightning bested by Devils in shootout

October 31, 11:02 PMTampa Bay Lightning ExaminerAlthea Pashman

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Antero Niittymaki makes a save on a breakaway
by New Jersey Devils' Jamie Langenbrunner during
the first period (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)

The shootout problems continue to mount for the Lightning as they went down for the fourth time and the second time this season to the New Jersey Devils losing 2-1 as David Clarkson beat Antero Niittymaki in the fourth round.

The win extended New Jersey’s season-opening road winning streak to seven games which equals the second longest in NHL history, matching Toronto (1940-41), Philadelphia (1985-86) and Detroit (2005-06). Buffalo holds the league record of 10 in a row, set at the start of 2006-07 season.

The Lightning couldn’t put the puck past future Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur, then again they had their problems getting the puck altogether as they managed just 15 shots on goal all afternoon – the lone shot that Brodeur missed was Steven Stamkos 10th goal at 4:34 of the third period. Brodeur was attempting to record his 103 career shutout, which would have tied him with Terry Shawchuk’s NHL shutout record.

If not for Antero Niittymaki’s strong effort in net, the score could have been real bad as New Jersey seemed to have played the entire game in the Lightning’s zone. Niittymaki stopped 36 of 37 shots through regulation, the lone mishap coming at the 50-second mark of period two when Travis Zajac’s backhand got by him.

“We didn’t deserve the extra point, said Rick Tocchet. “Niittymaki was incredible tonight. We came out flat the first two periods. We started coming on in the third. I started playing Konopka’s line a little more. It seemed to get everybody going a little bit. Our goalie gave us a chance to get back into it.”

In the first period alone, Niittymaki stopped 13 shots, including a penalty shot by Jamie Langenbrunner with a left pad kick save and a few others for the highlight reel that included a neat save on an in-close shot by ex-Lightning defenseman Cory Murphy.

“You’ve got to give him credit, he was unbelievable. He made some unbelievable saves,” said Martin Brodeur on the lay of his counterpart Antero Niittymaki.

New Jersey continued with their barrage on Niittymaki in the second period with 15 shots which included Travis Zajac’s goal just 50 seconds into the period. Zajac pounded the rebound past Niittymaki from outside just outside the crease to put the Devils up 1-0.

New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur makes the save on Steven Stamkos
during the shootout of (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)

The score would remain 1-0 until the 4:34 mark of the third period when Steven Stamkos took a cross-ice pass from Martin St. Louis. Stamkos shot deflected off Jamie Langenbrunner and past Brodeur for the goal.

The goal was Stamkos 10th of the season and it extended his scoring streak to seven consecutive games and his consecutive game goal-scoring streak to five. St. Louis and Malone recorded the helpers on the goal and for St. Louis, the assist extended his scoring streak to a team record 11 games (12 assists, 15 points) and it was also his 600th career NHL point.

"We tried to put our rally caps on on the bench today to try to change things, but I don't know, we can't score," said Stamkos. "It's pretty frustrating on the forwards' part. The past two games, especially, our goalies have given us a chance to win."

In the shootout, the Lightning drew first with Andrej Meszaros missing by a goalpost. His backhand hit the post and bounced out and in front of Brodeur. Niittymaki deflected Zach Parise’s backhander with the glove. In round two, Jeff Halpern shot wide of the net and Niittymaki turned aside Jamie Langenbrunner’s shot. Round three saw Stamkos and Zajac come up empty sending the shootout in sudden-death. Lecavalier was stopped as he slowed down approaching the net and the David Clarkson lifted the shot over Niittymaki for the score, giving New Jersey the 2-1 win.

On the decision to send David Clarkson in the shootout, Devils Coach Jacques Lemaire said it was because Assistant Coach Tommy Albelin told him to send Clarkson instead of Nicklas Bergfors. “He knows the players better than I do, especially on the shootout… It turned out to be the right move.”

The shootout was the Lightning’s fourth of the season, and their shootout record falls to 0-4. During this span the Bolts shooters are 0-for-14… Smith and Niittymaki have combined to stop eight of the past 10 shooters, yet the same result – a loss.

Lecavalier and Stamkos are both 0-3. To shake things up, Coach Rick Tocchet sent out Meszaros and Halpern to shoot first.

“What do you do? I don’t know, it’s baffling. We practice every two to three practices. But even before that, the first two periods were flat. We weren’t ready to play,” said Coach Rick Tocchet on his teams’ shootout woes.

The Lightning takes the show on the road with four games in six nights which begins Monday in Philadelphia, followed by the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday, Ottawa Senators on Thursday and then the Canadiens on Saturday before they return home on November 12 to host the Minnesota Wild.

Game Notes

• Martin St. Louis tied the franchise record with an assist in 10 straight games. The NHL record is 23, set by Wayne Gretzky in 1990-91. St.Louis’ assist was the 600th point in his career
• Devils Johnny Oduya (lower-body injury) didn't play.
• Steven Stamkos has a seven-game point streak. He has eight goals and 11 points during the stretch.
• Jamie Langenbrunner and teammate Zach Parise both had six shots on goal
• Antero Niittymaki finished with 37 saves on 38 shots game points streaks end.
• Vincent Lecavalier led the Lightning with five shots on goal
• Mattias Ohlund led the Lightning in time on ice with 28:58
• With the shootout loss the Lightning is still the only team in the Eastern Conference without a regulation loss at home, going 4-0-3 at the Times Forum

Steven Stamkos 10th goal of the season, that tied the score at 1-1 (NHL Network Media)