Louie, Louie: TB 3 - NJ 1

Tampa, FL (Sports Network) - Martin St. Louis netted two goals in the final frame to lead the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 3-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils at St. Pete Times Forum.

Marc Denis made 34 saves for the Lightning, who have won two straight and currently occupy the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Tampa Bay's Vincent Lecavalier picked up an assist and in so doing notched his 500th career point in the NHL. Martin St. Louis tally put him over the 40 goal plateau.

"Of course there are frustrations," St. Louis said of his drought. "You're not just thinking about scoring a goal. It's in the back of your mind that it's your 40th. It plays in your mind a little bit."

"It's nice to get it over with," St. Louis said. "The most important thing, though, is we won the game."

Zach Parise tallied the lone goal for the slumping Devils, who have lost three straight.

With the game knotted at a goal apiece, the Lightning went in front 2-1 with 10:18 remaining in the third period as St. Louis tallied his 40th goal of the season. Eric Perrin broke up a New Jersey outlet pass in the neutral zone and moved the puck up to St. Louis, who beat Brodeur low on his stick side.

St. Louis' second tally of the game made it a two-goal contest with 6:16 left in the third. From the left corner, Lecavalier centered a pass to a streaking St. Louis in front and he quickly fired the pass through the pads of Brodeur.

With 8:37 left in the first period, Jason Ward gave Tampa Bay the 1-0 edge. From the right boards, Brad Richards unleashed a wrister that Ward tipped past Brodeur from just outside the crease.

"We felt we had 19 days and that was our season," Tortorella explained. "Nineteen days, nine games. We're not looking above us or below us. We're just trying to concentrate on ourselves."

Notes:
Holmqvist was scheduled to start, but left prior to the game with the flu. Ramo dressed as the back-up. Tampa Bay is 10-3-2 (3 losses, 2 ties) in its last 15 encounters with the Devils..Lecavalier has 49 assists on the season while Richards has 43 helpers.

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