Game 4 Rundown: Devils Only Produce One Goal In Critical Loss

The Devils will be playing for their playoff lives on Saturday after being handed a 3-1 Game 4 loss Wednesday night at the Rock.

New Jersey got things going in the right direction after Kyle Palmieri scored on the 5-on-3 power play at 8:56 in the first period.

But that would be all for the Devils on this night offensively, as they struggled all night long while playing with the man advantage. New Jersey was 1-for-6 on the power play.

The Lightning would seize with two unanswered goals later on the first and things went from bad to worst after Nikita Kucherov’s devastating hit on Sami Vatanen forced the Devils’ defenseman to leave the game with an upper-body injury.

Kucherov added insult to injury by scoring twice against the Devils, including the game-winning goal. After the game, Bryce Salvador and Deb Placey broke down the hit on Vatanen.

Game 4: TBL 3, NJD 1

Bryce Salvador takes a closer look at Nikita Kucherov's high hit on Sami Vatanen and whether it was dirty.

Game 4: TBL 3, NJD 1

Bryce Salvador

Apr 18, 2018

Despite the loss, Cory Schneider remained confident that the Devils can keep their season alive with a win in Game 5 Saturday in Tampa.