The Devils need some help.

Maybe they can get some tonight when they host the Lightning (10-14-1-1), who used to be thought of as an automatic two points for the once-dominant Devils (10-10-2-2).

But this is a new season for the Devils, who find themselves mired in last place in the Atlantic Division behind all the teams that they happily beat the stuffing out of the last few seasons.

The Devils beat the Red Wings Sunday, 4-1, splitting the home-and-home series with Detroit for the weekend and evened their record at .500.

Tampa got the better of the Devs in their previous meeting, a 2-0 shutout for the Lightning on Nov. 23. The game was highlighted by 29 saves by goalie Nikolai Khabibulin (9-11-1, 2.09 GAA, .933 save-percentage). Fredrik Modin and Vinny Prospal scored the Tampa goals.

The Devils are paced by Patrik Elias (13-13-26), Jason Arnott (10-9-19) and Bobby Holik (9-8-17). Tampa’s disgruntled center Vincent Lecavalier enters tonight’s game with 10 points and just three goals in 24 games played.