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Lightning chase Jacob Markstrom on the way to routing the Devils 8-4

Lightning chase Jacob Markstrom on the way to routing the Devils 8-4 | iNFOnews.ca
Tampa Bay Lightning's Jake Guentzel (59) reacts with Oliver Bjorkstrand (22) after scoring a goal against the New Jersey Devils during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Nick Paul, Darren Raddysh and Pontus Holmberg each scored in the opening eight minutes to chase Jacob Markstrom, and the injury-depleted Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the New Jersey Devils 8-4 on Thursday night.

The Lightning have strung together consecutive victories following a four-game skid, which culminated with back-to-back shutout losses. Oliver Bjorkstrand had two goals, Jake Guentzel, Brandon Hagel and Brayden Point got one apiece and Nikita Kucherov recorded four assists as Tampa Bay combined to score 14 times in these two wins.

Jonas Johansson made 33 saves in his fifth start in a row in place of injured No. 1 goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy, who is out at least two more games. Captain Victor Hedman joined Vasilevskiy and fellow defensemen Ryan McDonagh and Erik Cernak on injured reserve earlier Thursday after aggravating an undisclosed ailment earlier this week.

After coach Jon Cooper praised his short-handed team’s all-around play other than saying, “We just haven’t been able to score,” the Lightning busted out offensively against Markstrom, who lasted just seven shots before getting pulled in favor of backup Jake Allen. Paul and Raddysh scored 51 seconds apart, and then Holmberg’s weak backhander going in was enough for Sheldon Keefe to yank Markstrom for performance-related reasons for the first time this season.

Markstrom’s save percentage fell to .875, which ranks 55th out of the 59 goalies who have appeared in at least nine games. Allen allowed five goals on 28 shots in relief. Luke Hughes, Jesper Bratt, Angus Crookshank and Paul Cotter scored for New Jersey, which has lost six of its past seven and nine of 14 since top center Jack Hughes had finger surgery.

Xavier Parent made his NHL debut for the Devils. Parent was called up to fill in for Timo Meier, who is taking a leave of absence to attend to a family health matter.

Up next

Lightning: Visit the New York Islanders on Saturday.

Devils: Host Anaheim on Saturday.

___

AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL

Lightning chase Jacob Markstrom on the way to routing the Devils 8-4 | iNFOnews.ca
New Jersey Devils’ Brenden Dillon (5) fights with Tampa Bay Lightning’s Scott Sabourin (46) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
Lightning chase Jacob Markstrom on the way to routing the Devils 8-4 | iNFOnews.ca
From left, Tampa Bay Lightning’s Curtis Douglas (42), Nick Paul (20), Scott Sabourin (46) and Max Crozier (24) react after Paul scored against the New Jersey Devils during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
Lightning chase Jacob Markstrom on the way to routing the Devils 8-4 | iNFOnews.ca
New Jersey Devils’ Luke Hughes (43) attempts to steal the puck from Tampa Bay Lightning’s Yanni Gourde (37) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

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The Associated Press

Stephen Whyno

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

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