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Rare burst of offense gets Devils past Bolts

Jan 10, 2011 - 3:46 AM Newark, NJ (Sports Network) - David Clarkson started a five-goal third period with his second tally of the game as the New Jersey Devils doubled up the Tampa Bay Lightning, 6-3, at Prudential Center.

Patrik Elias registered a goal and two assists for the Devils, who won for just the third time since the beginning of December (3-15-0). Ilya Kovalchuk and Brian Rolston both collected two assists, while Martin Brodeur made 33 saves for New Jersey, which posted a season high for goals in one game.

"It's been tough for us," Brodeur said. "If you don't give the fans anything to cheer for, it's hard for them to cheer. I think today was a more exciting game for them, a more exciting game for us."

Teddy Purcell and Ryan Malone scored in the first period for Southeast Division-leading Tampa Bay, which has dropped two of three. Dan Ellis allowed four goals on 24 shots in defeat.

New Jersey, which entered play with a 1-25-0 record when trailing after 40 minutes, pulled even on Clarkson's power-play marker at 4:14 of the third period.

The Devils grabbed a 3-2 lead nearly four minutes later when Henrik Tallinder's bid from the left circle deflected in off teammate Jason Arnott during a 4-on-4 situation. Dainius Zubrus made it 4-2 at 14:06 and Elias scored into an empty-net with 1:15 remaining.

Dominic Moore lit the lamp for Tampa Bay shortly thereafter, but Nick Palmieri hit the still-vacated net to seal the win. It was his first NHL goal.

"We lost the game because we got scored on the penalty kill. After that, we had many chances to shoot and we didn't," said Tampa Bay head coach Guy Boucher.

Purcell jumped on a puck in the crease to give Tampa Bay a 1-0 lead at the 2:36 mark of the first period. It didn't take long for the Devils to pull even as Clarkson scored on a breakaway backhander 3:19 later.

The Lightning notched the go-ahead goal on a power play late in the first period. Vincent Lecavalier dished to Malone below the right circle and he whipped a shot between the pads of Brodeur with 3:59 remaining.

Game Notes

Tampa Bay went 1-1-2 against New Jersey last season...Tallinder finished with a plus-4 rating. He was a frosty minus-26 entering Sunday...Both teams were 1- for-4 on the power play.