If the Devils can’t put an end to this rough stretch, they can kiss the playoffs goodbye.
Steven Stamkos extended his goal-scoring streak to a season-high five games and the Lightning beat the fading Devils 4-0 on Friday night for their fifth straight win.
Ben Bishop made 21 saves for his third shutout of the season. Alex Killorn, Ondrej Palat and Matt Carle also scored as the Lightning sent the Devils to their second loss in as many nights and fifth in six games.
Stamkos’ goal-scoring streak is two games shy of his personal best, set in 2010.
Ryan Callahan had two assists for Tampa Bay, which moved to within three points of first-place Florida in the Atlantic Division.
Cory Schneider, who was lifted after giving up three goals in the first period of a 6-1 loss to Columbus on Thursday, had 32 saves for the Devils, who remain one point behind the Penguins for the final wild-card spot.
“You can look at the numbers all you want, but we’ve just got to start stringing some wins together and see where that takes us,” Devils forward Kyle Palmieri said.
The win was the first for the Lightning in New Jersey since 2013 — a span of three games — and only their fourth in the last 16 games (4-8-4).
This one wasn’t as one-sided as the score, but Tampa Bay was able to convert its chances while the Devils battled both the puck and Bishop.
Stamkos set up Killorn’s first-period with great strength in front and he extended his goal-scoring streak with a deflection of Anton Stralman’s shot late in the second for a 3-0 lead.
Stamkos’ play on Killorn’s goal was impressive. With his back to the goal, he took a pass from the point by Callahan, spun and got a shot off that Schneider saved. The goaltender had no chance as Killorn put the rebound into an open net at 15:36 of the first period for his 11th of the season.
Bishop’s best saves were on Tyler Kennedy. He made a stacked pad stop on him in close midway through the second period and saved the shutout with a snapping glove stop on an open shot from low in the right circle with 10:43 to play.
Palat’s goal with 6:58 left in the second period came off a Devils mistake. Lee Stempniak turned over the puck behind his net and Tyler Johnson quickly found his linemate in front for his seventh goal of the season in what was a bang-bang play.
Stamkos got his 27th goal of the season with a deflection of Stalman’s shot over Schneider’s shoulder.
Carle scored on a third-period point shot for his second goal.
The Devils had their chances, particularly Adam Henrique. He missed the net early in the first period after being set up by Joseph Blandisi and he could not control a rebound in front in the second with Bishop out of position.