The streaking Tampa Bay Lightning came into this game having won five straight. But their opponent was one of the most dangerous teams in the NHL. Extending the win streak to six would be no easy task. But the Bolts proved themselves up for the challenge. They took the lead in the first minute of the second period and never looked back. The Lightning truly dominated every aspect of this game, holding the ever-dangerous Oilers to a season low 36 shot attempts.
Streaking Teams Prepare for Battle
It was a battle of streaking teams tonight. The Tampa Bay Lightning who had won five straight games took on the Edmonton Oilers who had lost three straight. The Bolts were looking to extend both of those streaks, while the Oilers were looking to end them.
The teams exchanged looks for the first half of period one, but neither team found the back of the net. At 11:37, Nikita Kucherov took a penalty for hooking on Leon Draisaitl. It took Draisaitl all of 16 seconds to exact his revenge as he wristed his 43rd of the season past Andrei Vasilevskiy.
But the Lightning would strike back just a minute and 18 seconds later. This time, it was their fourth line getting the Bolts on the board. Mikey Eyssimont tallied his fifth of the season on a backhand shot to give his team some much needed depth scoring. Gage Goncalves assisted on the goal.
Michael Eyssimont – Tampa Bay Lightning (5)
pic.twitter.com/qPq4Om3fmW— NHL Goal Videos (@NHLGoalVideos) February 26, 2025
Streaking Bolts Take Over in Second
The first period ended in a 1-1 tie. But the Lightning took care of business quickly to start the second. Brandon Hagel notched his 28th of the season on a beautiful wraparound just 29 seconds into the middle frame to put his team up 2-1.
Brandon Hagel 📈📈📈 pic.twitter.com/QWaFA9KFit
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 26, 2025
Four minutes later, Leon Draisaitl took a high sticking penalty. Forty-eight seconds after that, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins took a high sticking penalty! So, the Bolts would have a two-man advantage for a minute and 12 seconds. They needed only 20 seconds for Victor Hedman to blast his ninth of the season past Stuart Skinner to give the Lightning a two-goal lead.
Brandon Hagel 📈📈📈 pic.twitter.com/QWaFA9KFit
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 26, 2025
The Streak Goes On
The Oilers came out determined in the third period. They had some good looks, but Vasilevskiy stood strong in net for the Bolts. It took the Lightning seven minutes and 23 seconds to muster a shot on net. But when they did, they made it count. Nikita Kucherov with a perfect feed to Jake Guentzel who found Nick Paul streaking in. Paul tipped it home to give his team a three-goal cushion.
“NICK PAUL!!! A beautiful backhand redirection!”
Paul with a beauty for goals in four straight games, a new career high! He grabs his 18th 🚨 of the season.#EDMvsTBL
🎧: https://t.co/S6Y9TymMk9
📻: @1025TheBone https://t.co/lhMOtNqdl7— Lightning Audio Network (@BoltsRadio) February 26, 2025
The Bolts held the Oilers without a shot attempt for the final half period of regulation in what was probably one of the most complete games the Lightning have played all season. With their sixth straight win, the boys in blue hit the 70-point mark with 25 games remaining in the season. They still sit third in the Atlantic division.
Three Stars
1- Brandon Hagel– game winning goal on a beautiful wrap-around
2- Nikita Kucherov– 2 assists for another multi-point game
3- a tie betwen Victor Hedman with a power play goal and Mikey Eyssimont with the game tying goal who was just flying around the ice all night!
Up Next
The Bolts finish up this home-stand Thursday night as the Calgary Flames come into town. Puck drop is scheduled for 7pm.
