The Tampa Bay Lightning played against the Vegas Golden Knights in a thrilling game that ended with a 5-3 victory for the Lightning. The game saw back-and-forth action with Brayden Point scoring two goals, Nikita Kucherov contributing with a goal and three assists to reach 118 points, and Ben Hutton tying the game at 3-3 in the third period. The Lightning's win marked their fourth consecutive victory.
We've got puck drop on period ✌️! Let's ride!
Another four-point night for Nikita Kucherov last night, his NHL-leading seventh of the season. Kucherov now has 33 multi-point games on the year. If you only counted those 33 games, he would still have the fourth-most points among all NHL skaters with 95 (36-59—95). https://t.co/ajkrTappdq
Point scores twice in 3rd, Lightning edge Golden Knights ⤵️ https://t.co/kcvidFe8AA
#GoBolts waltzed into Sin City for a dance with Lady Luck and despite some missteps, left with a couple of extra chips in their luggage as they, and Nikita Kucherov, continue to climb the late-season ranks. #TBLightning https://t.co/NyCFHEQ1MC
Cooper on Kucherov, who records for four tonight and, simultaneously, retakes the lead in the points race: “I didn't realize he had four points tonight. I guess he's been doing that almost every night but those are the guys that have to rally. They're on the ice for that first…
Cooper on Duclair, who has points in all four games he has played with the #Bolts: “He’s a good player, a good add for us, he and Dumba. I'm ecstatic we have these guys. They’ve added to our depth and given us a little moxie and he deserves those points. He has played well for…
Final, 5-3 Tampa Bay. Uneven. Inconsistent. The Golden Knights flashes just don’t sustain long enough to get them anything out of this game. Only 14 games remain.
He's got a point in each of the four games he's played with the @TBLightning... ⚡️ Anthony Duclair (@aduclair10) sure is looking like a good pickup. https://t.co/aEBhbKPbVX
Golden Knights fall short in back-and-forth battle, losing 5-3 against Lightning https://t.co/DcHDwkETwW
Final from Vegas: Tampa Bay 5 Golden Knights 3 https://t.co/Y8qrvIVTPT https://t.co/HvyceIOmf8
#GoBolts beat Vegas 5-3 for 4th straight win. Kucherov w/ 1 G & 3 A. Point w/ 2 G. Vasilevskiy: 24 saves. #TbLightning now have 80 points, four points up on Detroit in the 1st wild-card spot in the East, also move within five points of Toronto for 3rd place in Atlantic.
Final, 5-3 Tampa Bay. Uneven. Inconsistent. The Golden Knights flashes just don’t sustain long enough to give them anything out of this game. Or beyond to build upon. Only 14 games remain.
Final from Vegas, #GoBolts defeat the Golden Knights 5-3, have now won four games in a row, and picked up six points against the Rangers, Panthers and Golden Knights. We discussed that it could be season-defining stretch, and it just might end up being one
Final: Lightning 5, Golden Knights 3 Too much firepower in the end. 2-2 game flipped in a hurry. Kucherov and Point the difference.
That’s it from Las Vegas. #Bolts win again, a 5-3 victory over the Golden Knights. TB has won four in a row.
FINAL: 5-3 Tampa Bay Lightning it is four consecutive wins for the #Bolts
it is a goal for Kucherov so, again, a 4 point game for him https://t.co/1Fm7FTyNxG
Goal stands and Kucherov is up to 118 points on the year, the most among all NHL skaters.
Kucherov scores an empty netter and is now first in the Art Ross Trophy race. Kucherov: 118 points (14 games remaining) MacKinnon: 117 points (13 games remaining)
Tampa execute the simplest play you can against the empty net, flip and chase, and Kucherov outskated Theodore by a mile. 5-3, tough loss for VGK.
With three assists for Nikita Kucherov tonight (so far) he has tied Nathan MacKinnon for the league lead with 117 points #GoBolts #TBLightning
Nikita Kucherov just tied Nathan MacKinnon with 117 points. (And 7min left in the 3rd period to pass him) Tampa Bay has 14 games remaining Colorado has 13 games remaining This is going right down to the wire
Brayden Point just scored a very weak goal on Adin Hill. VGK is down, 4-3.
Nikita Kucherov is now tied for the league lead with 117 points after his third assist of the game.
Brayden Point. 4-3 Tampa. Oh my goodness. Tampa dumps the puck in. Point beats the icing, and just taps in in by Hill.
Brayden Point again. Wins the race to the puck, fires it on goal and it goes off Hill's skate and in. 4-3 Tampa Bay.
Point nets his second goal of the game, he has 38 goals on the season 4-3 Tampa Bay Lightning
point got a point and now it's 4-3 lightning
Tie game! Ben Hutton’s goal knots the Knights and Lightning up at 3 midway through the 3rd. #VegasBorn faithful in the building could be in store for a fun finish. https://t.co/Fo6MUbJgg8
Ben Hutton gets the goal there, and he's been noticeable all night. Really nice game from him.
Ben Hutton with the equalizer 🔥 https://t.co/PMHl1lgGAm
VGK's forecheck continues to be off the charts. Tampa cannot get out of their zone with any consistency and VGK finally make them pay. Ben Hutton with the big time 3rd period goal to tie it. 3-3
Vegas ties it up, Hutton on a loose puck in the middle slot, and the power play did not produce momentum for #GoBolts, now 3-3
Vegas answers and Hutton makes it 3-3 with 11:44 left in the third.
Tons of pressure by the Golden Knights forecheck, Kolesar gets to a loose puck and finds Hutton, who buries it through traffic. 3-3
New third pair strikes. Ben Hutton in the slot off the rebound. Tie game with 11:44 to go.
BEN HUTTON. 3-3. All tied up. Excellent shift from Brett Howden. My goodness.
The Kooch to Brayden Point on the PP TB 3 Vegas 2 in 3rd. 76 assists for The Kooch
Kucherov gets his second assist of the game. 116 points this season.
Crafty little backhand pass off the wall from Kucherov and Point makes it 3-2 with 15:08 left in the third period.
a power play goal for Point and the #Bolts retake the one goal lead in this game 3-2 Tampa Bay Lightning
VGK's kill continued to be excellent but one little loose puck floats into a dangerous area and Brayden Point buries it. Tough break, not really much they did wrong. 3-2 TBL
The puck pops into the slot and Brayden Point beats Hill glove side. 3-2 Tampa Vegas' penalty kill had been incredible tonight up to that point, but if you give this power play enough chances they're going to score one eventually.
Brayden Point on the power play. 3-2 Tampa.
Make it 2-for-3. Brayden Point in front. Lightning lead 3-2 with 15:08 to go.
Third period is underway, #GoBolts tied 2-2 in Vegas https://t.co/o84aS28P0K
End of the second, 2-2. The Golden Knights were a slow burn there in the second period. Built and built. Finally broke through late. All tied up going to the third.
End of 2: Tied 2-2 Period flew by and the Golden Knights had control for most of it. 8-3 shot advantage in the frame, and Howden's goal tied it.
Vegas held the Lightning to only 3 shots in that 2nd period. Tied 2-2 heading into the third.
End of the second period, all knotted up 2-2, unofficial shots on goal are 15-13 Vegas
#Bolts give up a 2-on-1 and Howden ties it 2-2 with 3:08 left in the second.
VGK get bailed out after a terrible exit pass by Kolesar. Puck comes right back to him and he springs a 2-on-1. Brett Howden finds a hole and we're tied.
It's the Golden Knights' turn for the transition counter. Turnover springs the fourth line, and Brett Howden with the finish. Tie game with 3:08 left in the second.
Vegas turns it over, then Tampa gives it right back to set up a 2-on-1 for Howden and Kolesar. Howden shoots and beats Vasilevskiy low to the glove side. 2-2
Still liking VGK's game here. They look really good exiting the zone which has meant lots of speed through the NZ. Just need one of the chances to be buried (and no more penalties).
End of the first, 2-1 Tampa. Really good start for Vegas gets derailed by a lackluster power play. No surprise, an entertaining first period.
End of 1: Lightning 2, Golden Knights 1 Good news: Knights got off to a fast start, controlled most of the 5-on-5 play. Bad news: The Lightning took advantage of opportunities as they tend to do. Shots 9-8 Tampa.
End of the first period. #Bolts go down 1-0 early but score back-to-back goals and go to the locker room with a 2-1 lead after 20.
Power play has expired, still 2-1 #GoBolts
If Nikita Kucherov had zero goals this season he'd still be 16h in NHL scoring right now.
Duclair has found the scoresheet in each of his four games with the #Bolts as he gives Tampa Bay a 2-1 lead with 9:23 left in the first period. He's one of three players in Lightning history to record a point in each of his first four games with the club. Who knows the others?
Duclair does it again !! He has points in all four games with the #Bolts … 3 goals, 2 assists, and 5 points 2-1 Tampa Bay Lightning
Huge save by Vasilevskiy at one end, and the Lightning go the other way. Puck goes through Hill and lands at Anthony Duclair for the tip-in. 2-1 Lightning
Cirelli and Hagel get a 2-on-0 shorthanded, complete a quick give-and-go and Cirelli buries his 15th goal of the year to make it a 1-1 game with 13 minutes left in the first. First shorty of the year for Cirelli, who is up to 12 on his career, fourth-most in #Bolts history.
a shorthanded goal for Cirelli … he races down the ice with Hagel and he beats Hill 1-1
Cirelli with the shorty on a 2 on 0. 1-1.
Lightning get a 2-on-0 shorthanded with the miscommunication from Eichel and Theodore, and Anthony Cirelli finishes. 1-1
Anthony Cirelli. Shorty. 1-1. It was a 2-on-0. No chance for Hill there.
This game is weird. Shorthanded 2-on-0 for Tampa Bay, and they score basically in the exact same way Vegas did early. 1-1
Rare great start for VGK tonight. They are all over the Lightning in the offensive zone. Now a PP chance to double the lead.
Third period underway
Third period underway!
A little even #ScoreBoardWatching 90 minutes before #GoBolts take on Vegas (all 2nd period scores) Carolina 2, NY Islanders 0 Detroit 2, Columbus 2 New Jersey 2, Pittsburgh 1 Philadelphia 2, Toronto 0
Second half underway.