Brandon Hagel and his natural hat trick propels Lightning over the New Jersey Devils in a game where goals were a plenty. For the first time this season Jonas Johansson would get the start in net after coming in relief the night before in Toronto. Defense was practically non-existent as a total of 13 goals were scored between the two teams. Conor Geekie scored his first career point in the second period where the game really opened up for the Lightning. As for the home team, this would be a night they would want to forget ever happened.
Quickly tested
Johansson was tested right away as Jesper Bratt nearly scored in the opening minute. New Jersey continued to play fast and easily moved the puck towards Tampa’s zone. Minutes later is when the Lightning would pressure the Devils defense and play smarter with the puck. Afterwards, the game was more balanced with both teams exchanging shots on net. Not many good looks on the net occured compared to the early minutes of the period. Then, Lightning nearly scored on a 2-on-1 but Jake Allen was able to make the stop, and the game remained scoreless.
Jack attacks, Point responds
Soon after, Jack Hughes found an opening and skillfully maneuvered the puck and fired it in to give New Jersey a 1-0 lead. Then, Lightning would get the first power play of the night after Timo Meier is called for boarding. On said power play the Lightning tied the game with a power play goal from Brayden Point. After swarming the net Point jabbed at the loose puck that went past Allen to make it 1-1 with 5 minutes to go. Momentum would stay with Tampa as the period came to a close with 12 of the last 13 shots coming from the Lightning.
Makin' things happen 👏 pic.twitter.com/2sObWU8SK6
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) October 22, 2024
Answering back again
All that momentum built up in the first period was quickly nullified. Timo Meier fooled Johansson and gave New Jersey the 2-1 lead in the first minute of the second period. Next, Devils this time gained momentum and had numerous good looks on net but could not add to their one goal lead. Later on, more physicality was shown and eventually Lightning tied the game again. Victor Hedman scored his first of the season to the game up 2-2. The goal game shortly after a face-off win and the scoring did not end there.
Heddy gets it done for our second of the night 🙌 pic.twitter.com/3BniV8qb97
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) October 23, 2024
Hagel bagel
Brandon Hagel made the Devils defense pay with a puck that went off Brenden Dillon and past Allen to give the Lightning a 3-2 lead midway through the second period. Keeping the aggressive playing going paid off for Tampa and that allowed them to take control of the game away from the Devils. They say Jersey loves their bagels, but they for sure did not like this Hagel. Not only would he extend the lead, but he would also complete the natural hat trick and make it 5-2 in what became dominating period. Hedman wanted more of the fun and ripped a slap shot that had no chance of being saved to further extend the lead.
Natural hat trick: COMPLETE ☑️ pic.twitter.com/lNEyo7sgkO
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) October 23, 2024
Hot headed
Unsurprisingly, tempers flared, and penalties were handed out as a result. Paul Cotter and Emil Lilleberg were called for roughing and 4-on-4 hockey was played for the remainder of the period. No doubt the Devils were frustrated after giving up five unanswered goals and honestly who can blame them. What the Lightning had to do is make sure to stay disciplined and not give the Devils any more chances to make an unbelievable comeback.
Devils show signs of life
Nothing notable happened on the 4-on-4 as the penalties expired and teams were back to even strength. Devils would not go down quietly as Nathan Bastian scored to make it 6-3 Lightning. Shortly after, Erik Cernak is called for tripping giving the Devils their first power play of the night. This is exactly what the Lightning did not want to occur as it would give hope when New Jersey needed it. Unfortunately, Meier scores on the power play to cut the Lightning lead to two goals. However, after the goal Dawson Mercer is called for goaltender interference killing their momentum in the process. Devils bench was livid and made sure their disagreement was heard.
Shutting down any chance of a comeback
Regardless, Lightning went on the power play and would immediately answer the Meier goal. Jake Guentzel scores off the face-off to give the Lightning a 7-4 lead. The goal would be reviewed for a possible high stick before the pass to Guentzel was made. Again, Devils would go on the power play in hopes of making it a two-goal game again. As if the game could not get any crazier, J.J. Moser scores off a clearing attempt on the penalty kill to make it 8-4. The puck deflected off the boards while Allen was out of the net, and it awkwardly found its way into the net.
👀👀👀 pic.twitter.com/JPZbEjGP8z
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) October 23, 2024
Perfect response after a horrid defeat
Devils received their third power play of the night with 8 minutes to go and captivated on said power play. Stefan Noesen scored on the power play, but the Lightning still lead 8-5. Erik Haula thought he had a goal, but the puck was batted in off his glove. It was evident the large lead was too much for Jersey to come back from. All in all, Tampa rebounded perfectly from the loss to Toronto and won by a final score of 8-5. Team will head back home to welcome the Minnesota Wild on Thursday night.
Three stars of the game
1st Star: Brandon Hagel – Natural hat trick in the second period
2nd Star: J.J. Moser – 1 goal and two assists
3rd Star: Victor Hedman – 2 goals
