Kucherov Sparks Tampa Bay Romp Over Vegas

Nikita Kucherov had a three-point night in a 6-2 Tampa Bay win at Vegas: a goal and two assists, with a plus-3 rating to match.

He played 18:19 over 22 shifts, third among Lightning skaters and second among their forwards. His goal came at even strength in the third period, at 5:16. He added an even-strength assist and a power-play assist, and he finished with two shots on goal.

It was a sharp night for a Lightning team that arrived at 6-2-0 with a 1-2-0 road record and left with a statement win over a Golden Knights side that had been 8-2-0. For Kucherov, it lifts his season line to 4 goals and 9 assists in nine games, and it came in less ice time than his 21.3 minutes per game average.

There was one blemish: two giveaways. Otherwise, it was a clean, productive shift in a game that got away from Vegas.