Lightning extend winning streak to five games
Nikita Kucherov had two points and Andrei Vasilevskiy made 29 saves to lead the Bolts to a 4-2 victory over the Penguins on Thursday
by Jacob Lynn @TBLightning / TampaBayLightning.com
The Lightning's win over the Penguins on Thursday was one of extended streaks.
Andrei Vasilevskiy extended his personal point streak to 17 games setting a new franchise record, while Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos each extended their own personal point streaks to nine games.
Most importantly, however, the Lightning's 4-2 victory over the Penguins pushed their winning streak to five games.
The Bolts got off to a fast start with a pair of first period goals to build a 2-0 lead through 20 minutes.
Mikhail Sergachev opened the scoring midway through the period with a shot from the right point that deflected off a Pittsburgh defender and past Matt Murray. Four minutes later, Steven Stamkos doubled Tampa Bay's advantage, finishing a beautiful give-and-go passing sequence with Brayden Point.
In the second, Evegni Malkin scored at 9:25 to get Pittsburgh on the board but the Lightning had a quick response. Just 32 seconds later, Anthony Cirelli rang a shot off the left post and in to put Tampa Bay back up by two.
Video: PIT@TBL: Cirelli capitalizes on rush to double lead
Things got tight for the Bolts in the third after John Marino scored three minutes in to get Pittsburgh back within a goal.
The Bolts then had to kill off an extended five-on-three situation after Sergachev and Alex Killorn were sent to the box in rapid succession. Thanks to Vasilevskiy and a few key clearing attempts, the Lightning managed to maintain their lead despite being down two men for 1:34.
Kucherov then put the game away with an empty net goal in the closing seconds to put the Bolts up 4-2.
Vasilevskiy was stellar in goal once again, finishing the night with 29 saves. His best work came with the Lightning shorthanded, making eight saves and helping the Bolts go a perfect five-for-five on the PK.
The Lightning will wrap up the homestand on Saturday night against Islanders.
Scoring Summary
1st Period
TBL | 9:04 Mikhail Sergachev (8) - Victor Hedman, Tyler Johnson
TBL | 12:55 Steven Stamkos (25) - Brayden Point, Nikita Kucherov
2nd Period
PIT | 9:25 Evgeni Malkin (17) - Patric Hornqvist, Kris Letang
TBL | 9:57 Anthony Cirelli (14) - Victor Hedman, Ondrej Palat
3rd Period
PIT | 3:20 John Marino (5) - Evgeni Malkin
TBL | 19:27 Nikita Kucherov (25) - Victor Hedman, Andrei Vasilevskiy - EN