While we don’t want to take full credit for the Tampa Bay Lightning’s offensive turnaround, we do feel it is worth noting that since we posted this:
Lightning drop their fourth in a row.
— Raw Charge (@rawcharge.com) December 8, 2025 at 10:25 PM
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…the Lightning have scored 14 goals in two games. Tonight’s victim was the New Jersey Devils. Tampa Bay rolled out to a 4-1 lead in the first period, made it through the second period with a 6-2 edge, and then finished it off with another pair of goals to take the 8-4 win. Credit to the Devils for getting four pucks behind Jonas Johansson, who finished with 33 saves, something that the Islanders, Maples Leads, and Canadiens couldn’t do combined.
Nick Paul and Darren Raddysh found the back of the net within 51 seconds of each other to give the Bolts the 2-0 lead less than 4 minutes into the game. After Luke Hughes sent Scott Sabourin into the shadow realm with a spinorama move to cut the lead in half, Pontus Holmberg responded less than a minute later with his second goal in as many games. Jake Guentzel wasn’t going to be left out of the action and he banged home a rebound on the power play (yes, a power play goal).
Six minutes into the second frame, Oliver Bjorkstand scored his first even-strength goal of the season as he walked into a dangerous spot before wristing it over the glove of New Jersey’s second goalie of the night, Jake Allen, who had replaced the starter Jacob Markstrom after Holmberg’s goal.
Jesper Bratt made it 5-2 with a power play goal (we told the Bolts to stay out of the penalty box), but Brandon Hagel got in on the fun with his 18th goal of the season later in the period on a delayed penalty. An early goal in the third by Angus Crookshank (also on a delayed penalty) had the Devils back within three early in the third, but Brayden Point ended any thought of a comeback with his fifth goal of the year. Paul Cotter scored at the 15:28 mark, but Bjorkstrand scored, this time on the power play, 29 seconds later to finish off the bonanza of offense.
Seven Lightning players had multi-point nights, led by Nikita Kucherov, who had four assists. Bjorkstrand had his best game as a Bolt, finishing with two goals and an assist while Guentzel had a goal and two assists. Scott Sabourin, who started in place of Gage Goncalves, picked up an assist.
The Lightning will now head to New York to take on the Islanders for the third time in two weeks. Will their offense make the trip with them? Stick around to find out.
Details
[NHL Recap] [Natural Stat Trick] [Ice Time]
Highlights
Culvers Free Cheese Curds – Yup.
Papa Johns 50% off for a win – Yup.
Wendy’s Free Double Stack – Yup
