Hagel and Hedman Put on a Show as Lightning Devastate the Devils in 8-5 Thriller

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — With their sights set on another deep playoff run, the Tampa Bay Lightning knew they had to come out strong against a tough New Jersey Devils team. Thanks to impressive performances from Brandon Hagel and Victor Hedman, the Lightning were able to leave New Jersey with a big 8-5 win on Tuesday night.

Hagel was the star of the show, scoring his second career hat trick in a dominant performance. The 24-year-old left wing has been a key contributor for the Lightning all season, but this game was one of his best showings yet. His three goals were a testament to his speed and agility on the ice, leaving Devils defenders in his wake as he broke through the defense to find the back of the net.

But Hagel wasn't the only Lightning player to have a big night. Hedman, the team's star defenseman, added two goals of his own in a strong all-around performance. Hedman has been one of the top defensemen in the league for years, but even by his high standards, this was an impressive outing. In addition to his two goals, he was a force on the defensive end, using his size and strength to shut down Devils forwards and limit their scoring opportunities.

Despite the big win, the Lightning's defense was far from perfect. They allowed five goals to the Devils, including two in the final period when the game was largely out of hand. But in the end, it didn't matter, as the Lightning's high-powered offense was simply too much for the Devils to handle.

The win was a big one for the Lightning, who are looking to build momentum as the season heats up. They have a tough schedule ahead of them, with several big games against top opponents in the coming weeks. But if they can continue to get performances like the one they got from Hagel and Hedman on Tuesday night, they should be able to handle whatever comes their way.

As for the Devils, they will look to bounce back from this tough loss. Despite their best efforts, they were simply outmatched by the Lightning's speed and skill. However, they should be encouraged by some aspects of their performance, including the play of their young forwards and the resilience they showed in continuing to battle even when the game seemed out of hand.