Nikita Kucherov scored the decisive goal with just 55 seconds remaining, following a game-tying goal by Brandon Hagel, as the Tampa Bay Lightning rallied to defeat the Vegas Golden Knights 4-3 on Thursday night.
Kucherov’s second goal of the night, and sixth of the season, capped off a dramatic comeback for the Lightning, who remain unbeaten at 3-0-0. Janis Moser contributed with a goal and two assists, while goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy made 22 saves.
For the Golden Knights, Brayden McNabb, Pavel Dorofeyev, and Ivan Barbashev each found the back of the net. Adin Hill stopped 21 shots in goal for Vegas.
Jack Eichel recorded two assists, giving him 10 points in five games this season, making him the fastest player in Golden Knights history to reach double-digit points. He is also the 10th U.S.-born player to achieve this feat so quickly.
After Barbashev put Vegas ahead 3-2 early in the second period, Hagel tied it up at 3 with 2:22 left in the third, setting the stage for Kucherov’s game-winner.
Takeaways
Golden Knights: The top line of Jack Eichel, Ivan Barbashev, and Mark Stone has been dominant, combining for eight goals, 19 assists, and 27 points through five games.
Lightning: Jake Guentzel, a key free-agent acquisition after Steven Stamkos left for Nashville, has meshed well with Kucherov and Brayden Point on the first line, contributing four assists so far.
Key Moment
Vegas successfully killed a 5-on-3 Tampa Bay power play late in the second period, with Hill making three saves and defenders blocking three shots to keep the Lightning off the board.
Key Stat
Kucherov became only the second player in Lightning history to score six goals in the first three games of a season, a mark previously set by Chris Kontos during the team’s inaugural 1992-93 season.
Up Next
The Golden Knights continue their road trip Saturday night at Florida, while the Lightning travel to Ottawa for a Saturday night matchup.