The New Jersey Devils take on the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight in the second ever game at the Prudential Center.   The Devils and Lightning both come into the contest struggling.  Here are Boltsblog's RJ's thoughts on the Lightning success and what it will take to defeat the Devils on Halloween (sorry about the pun).

1. The Lightning have lost three of their last four games, a 1-2-1 record, and have allowed 14 goals in those games. Where does the blame lie, in your opinion?

It's hard to say.  We have some young defensemen who are still trying to gel.  Along with a new assistant coach, Mike Sullivan, who is in charge of the D.  Dan Boyle has been hurt and has yet to see any significant playing time.  I think it just comes down to playing clean basic hockey on the road.  Staying out of the penalty box and not trying to do anything fancy.

 2. Offensively, the Lightning are scoring 3.28 goals per game.  They have four players in double digits in point production, and they rely heavily on the production of St Louis, Lecavalier, and Prospal.  Will that hurt them down the road when the competition gets tougher?

Obviously, you guys saw what it did to us last year.  The Devils bounced us in the 1st round, and the 1st line was completely gassed at the end of that series.  Feaster brought in Ouellet and Hlavac to try to get some scoring out of the second line with Brad Richards, but Ouellet hasn't worked out and is now on the 3rd line, and Hlavac has only one goal.  I think moving Jason Ward to the 2nd line has helped, but he is not a true finisher ala Freddy Modin, so I think the Bolts could be in for more of the same as last season if they don't find an answer.

 3. Goaltending hurt them last season and this year it continues to plague them as well. Johan Holmqvist has allowed 23 goals in nine games, while Marc Denis has allowed another six in two games.  Are the Lightning going to ride these two goalies out, or do you think they might look for a waiver pickup, or a trade midway through the season?

I don't think the Lightning will do anything with their goaltending.  My theory is that they are waiting for someone to offer up a trade for Denis, and then they will bring up Ramo.  I figured they would feature Denis in a few games and try to get his stock up.  So far that's not what's transpired.  You could send him down to Norfolk, but it's hard to send down a goalie making $2.4 million per season, even if he is outplayed in camp and preseason.  On the flip side, it's also hard to trade the guy with the numbers he's put up.  I thought the Bolts would have secured a true No. 1 in the offseason, perhaps Bryzgalov, but that didn't happen. I don't see Feaster bringing in anyone until next offseason.  At the same time, I like Holmqvist. The numbers are a bit deceiving.  He has a sub .900 save percentage, but isn't seeing a ton of shots.  His GAA is respectable at 2.73 and he has 5-2-1 record so far this season.

4. The Devils are struggling, having only won three of their first 10 games this season. Martin Brodeur is looking more like a backup goaltender than a hall of famer. But, historically, he is a beast against the Lightning, 24-14-5, with five career shutouts. How will they find the net on Wednesday?

Good question.  I don't think the Bolts are intimidated by Brodeur.  They will probably send everything they can at him.  Look for a few shots from the side of the net!  Expect a big game out of the 1st line.  Tortorella gave the team a dressing down in the press following Monday's loss to the Rangers, and I think they will respond with "great vengeance and furious anger" so to say.

5. The Lightning made the playoffs last season. What will it take to return to the postseason?

I think they have everything they need to get to the post season; they are better on paper than last season.  I am more concerned with what it will take to go deep into the playoffs, and right now our defense and goaltending worry me.  I think a solid veteran defenseman would do wonders for our chances, and help Holmer take it to the next level.

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