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St Louis assists help Lightning overcome Devils
2007-04-17
Martin St Louis assisted on all three goals as the New Jersey Devils on Monday to edge ahead in their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series. Martin Brodeur for a third straight game to take a surprising 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. "We kept coming -- it's some game that we played out there," St Louis told reporters. "I thought we played a strong game. We had a little bit of a let down in the second period, but (netminder) Johan Holmqvist stood tall for us." Brodeur, who earlier this season set a record for wins in a season with 48, faced 24 shots while Tampa Bay's Holmqvist got the win after making 30 saves. The Lightning used John Madden's goal at 17:27 of the second. Tampa Bay then scored twice in the third period to surprise the Eastern Conference second seeds. Brad Richards put Tampa Bay 2-1 ahead 1:09 into the third period and after Zach Parise tied the score three minutes later, Prospal slammed home the winner off assists by Lecavalier and St Louis. Brodeur, who set a record for wins in a season with 48, was pulled with 1:19 left for an extra skater and Holmqvist turned away a shot by Parise with 39 seconds remaining to ensure the victory. The seventh seeded Lightning will host Game Four in Tampa on Wednesday. *New York Islanders to take a 2-1 lead in their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series. Ryan Smyth scored for the Islanders in the busy second period. Game Four is on Long Island on Wednesday. *Nashville Predators to take a 2-1 lead in their Western Conference playoff series. Patrick Marleau scored the Sharks's third goal with Ryan Suter getting Nashville's only goal. Game Four is in San Jose on Wednesday.
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