TBL_COL_12_16_17

LIGHTNING (23-6-2) at AVALANCHE (15-14-2)
9 p.m. ET; ALT, SUN, NHL.TV

The Lightning matched the third-longest winning streak in their history Thursday with a 4-1 victory against the Arizona Coyotes. Their longest winning streak since entering the NHL in 1992 is nine games, from Feb. 18 to March 5, 2016.
Goalie Jonathan Bernier will start for the Avalanche, who are 3-1-0 following a four-game losing streak and are 9-5-1 at home.

Players to watch

Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov leads the NHL in points (44), one more than linemate Steven Stamkos, and is tied with the Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin for first in goals (22). Kucherov has four points (three goals, one assist) in a three-game point streak.
Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon has 20 points (eight goals, 12 assists) in his past 15 games. He leads Colorado in goals (13), assists (22), points (35), game-winning goals (four) and shots (96).

They said it

"When you have multiple lines that can score, it probably creates a little bit of a matchup problem. That's probably why we've had success, but you can't overlook the defense that we've been playing." -- Lightning coach Jon Cooper
"One thing to keep in mind for us: We can't give them too much respect. We know they're dangerous, but we have to try to be the aggressor. If we're sitting back or playing on our heels it doesn't usually turn out well." -- Avalanche coach Jared Bednar

Lightning projected lineup
Avalanche projected lineup
Status report

Coburn is expected to play after missing six games because of a lower-body injury. Callahan is out indefinitely and will be re-evaluated in 3-4 weeks. He was injured in the third period Thursday. ... Yakupov returns after being a healthy scratch for five games. The Avalanche will dress 11 forwards and seven defensemen for the sixth straight game.

Stat pack

Point has nine points (five goals, four assists) in a six-game point streak ... The Avalanche are 0-for-17 on the power play in their past five games.