Nikita Kucherov scored four points, and Andrei Vasilevskiy earned his sixth shutout of the season as Tampa Bay rolled over Utah, 8-0. Victor Hedman had a goal and two assists, while Oliver Bjorkstrand and Jake Guentzel each scored twice. Brayden Point scored the 300th goal of his career.
The Lighting have outscored their opponents 14-1 in the past two games of the current homestand and have won five of their last seven. The win moved Kucherov and the Bolts into a tie for first in the Atlantic Division with the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs.
Just as they had done Tuesday night against Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay once again started strong and quickly. Jake Gentzel scored less than two minutes into the game. Nikita Kucherov’s initial shot was blocked by Utah netminder Karel Vejmelka. Guentzel found himself in the right place at the right time and netted the rebound.
Victor Hedman scored three minutes later as traffic in front of Vejmelka shielded his view, and the shot rocketed past him. Nick Paul and Anthony Cirelli jammed up the Utah defense as J.J. Moser found Hedman in the faceoff circle for the shot on goal.
Second Verse same as the First
The second period was even more energetic than the opening one. Gage Goncalves scored five minutes into the period when he redirected an Emil Lilleberg shot from the point into the net.
Kucherov would score a few minutes later on a backhanded shot after Brayden Point found him racing through the slot past Utah defenseman Barrett Hayton. The goal was Kucherov’s third goal in as many games.
That fourth goal would end Vejmelka’s night in Tampa. Utah backup Jaxson Stauber entered, but the Lightning onslaught would continue.
Kucherov earned his third point of the night assisting Guentzel on a late-period power play goal. Hedman moved the puck to Kucherov, who then found Guentzel low. Guentzel held on to the puck long enough to get Stauber to commit to the shot, and Guentzel put the puck off the goalie’s shoulder and into the net.
Finally, Oliver Bjorkstrand combined with Yanni Gourde to score with 24 seconds left in the period.
Kucherov dominates the scoresheet
Kucherov continues to pace at the top of the NHL leaderboard with another four points on a goal and three assists. His final point of the night came in the final period on an assist on Brayden Point’s 300th career goal. Point followed up on the rebound of a Kucherov shot to reach the milestone.
It’s a party 🎉 pic.twitter.com/F6jUZQr34q
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) March 28, 2025
Bjorkstrand wrapped up the scoring with his second goal late in the third period, assisted by Nick Perbix.
Kucherov now has 105 points on the season and ranks in the top three in the NHL.
McDonagh plays his 1000th Game
Lightning star defenseman Ryan McDonagh recorded two assists as part of his 1,000th game in the National Hockey League. The Lightning honored the achievement during the game, and will present him with more honors Saturday at Amalie Arena.
“He’s (McDonagh) a rare breed of warrior,” Cooper said. “He’s got skills, he’s got brains, and he’s nails as a guy.”
“Everybody knows it. Every teammate knows it. That’s why everybody is here to see him.”
McDonagh is such a leader for us,” Point said. “You noticed his presence when he left, and you noticed his presence when he came back.”
Mikhail Sergachev returns to Amalie Arena
Utah’s leading defenseman, Mikhail Sergachev, returned to Amalie Arena for the first time since his offseason trade from Tampa last summer. The two-time Stanley Cup Champion was an integral part of the Lightning defensive core from 2017 to 2024.
As the first period video tribute played above the ice, Sergachev acknowledged the Amalie crowd’s standing ovation in honor of his return. Sergachev also participated in a ceremonial puck drop, facing Lightning captain Hedman at the start of the game.
“(Sergachev)’s got his fingerprints all over our Stanley Cups,” Head Coach Jon Cooper said afterwards. “As well as the growth and progression of this organization, and he should be extremely proud.”
“Now he’s playing for an organization that’s in a fight for the playoffs. You can tell he’s a big leader over there, and that’s really going to help that.”
Three Stars of the Game
1. Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay. One goal and three assists for four points. Kucherov is leading this team to the playoffs in style.
2. Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay. The Big Cat stopped all 25 shots he faced to earn his sixth shutout of the season and the 40th of his NHL career.
3. Ryan McDonagh, Tampa Bay. McDonagh picked up two assists in the 1,000th game of his NHL career.
Up Next
The Lightning wrap up the three-game homestand at Amalie Arena with an afternoon matinee against the New York Islanders on Saturday. Game time is at 2 p.m.
