Could Nikita Kucherov keep his goal-scoring streak alive as Tampa Bay ended a three-game road trip? Tampa Bay looked to collect two more points as they took on the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Lightning collected three points on this trip with a win over Detroit and a shootout loss to New Jersey. Kucherov had scored at least one goal in the Lightning’s first seven games of the season, only the sixth player since 1943-44 to achieve that feat.
Lightning start first period fast and aggressive.
Tampa Bay started off this game fast and aggressive. The Lightning out-shot the Blue Jackets 13-10 and dominated puck possession. Their first goal came when Mikhail Sergachev scored his first NHL goal at the 17:48 mark. Kucherov and Vladislav Namestnikov were credited with the assists. Columbus had a few chances, but the Lightning’s play in the neutral zone made things difficult for the Blue Jackets.
Vasilevskiy puts in work in the Second Period.
Columbus started the second period with the man advantage, but weren’t able to get any good scoring opportunities. However, the Blue Jackets carried the play in the second period, out-shooting Tampa Bay 18-5. Vasilevskiy responded by making some big saves to keep Columbus off the board, leading to Sergachev’s second goal of the night. He took a pass from Kucherov skated into the high slot, and fired a blistering wrist shot past Columbus goalie Sergei Bobrovsky at the 15:37 mark. Stamkos earned the second assist on the goal. The Blue Jackets had two power plays in this period, which helped them gain some momentum going into the third, but the Lightning hung tough.
Vasilevskiy holds strong for the shutout.
The Lightning put a few shots on goal during an early power play, but none found the back of the net. Columbus began to ramp up the pressure in the final 20 minutes as they out-shot Tampa Bay 15-3 in the final period. Fortunately for the Lightning, Vasilevskiy held strong and walled off Columbus, earning the 2-0 shutout win with 43 saves. The victory marked the fifth shutout of Vasilevskiy’s career and his first win against Columbus. Although Kucherov’s goal scoring streak came to an end, he assisted on both of Sergachev’s first career goals. The Lightning ended the road trip by taking five out of six possible points.
Three Stars of the Game
3rd Star – Nikita Kucherov (2 Assists)
2nd Star – Mikhail Sergachev (2 Goals)
1st Star – Andrei Vasilevskiy (43 Saves)
