The Edmonton Oilers are not only facing their toughest schedule opponent-wise of the season, but also doing it on the road and on consecutive nights, which seemed to have gotten to them on Tuesday night. Nikita Kucherov scored twice, as the first-place Tampa Bay Lightning kept rolling with a 5-2 win over the Oilers. Kucherov also added an assist, while goalie Andreik Vasilevskiy made 33 saves at Amalie Arena. The win improves Tampa Bay to an NHL-leading 11-3-1, as they hold a three-point lead on the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Steven Stamkos added a goal and two assists in Tuesday's win, while Brayden Point and Yanni Gourde both found the back of the net on the night. Kucherov's big night was no surprise if you look at his career numbers against the Oilers, which now sits at eight goals and 14 points in nine games. Meanwhile, Vasilevskiy stayed red hot between the pipes, now allowing two goals or fewer in eight of the past 11 games.
The Oilers dropped to 8-6-1 on the season, which is good for fourth place in the Pacific Division early on. Ryan Strome and Leon Draisaitl both scored for Edmonton, who got 30 saves from goaltender Mikko Koskinen. One player that did not produce for the Oilers was Connor McDavid, who was held off the scoresheet for just the second time this season. This down night put an end to his eight-game point streak, which consisted of six goals and five assists.
The Oilers' road trip is not over yet, as they have one more test against the Florida Panthers on Thursday night. Meanwhile, the Lightning stay home to host the first-place New York Islanders that same night.
Steven Stamkos added a goal and two assists in Tuesday's win, while Brayden Point and Yanni Gourde both found the back of the net on the night. Kucherov's big night was no surprise if you look at his career numbers against the Oilers, which now sits at eight goals and 14 points in nine games. Meanwhile, Vasilevskiy stayed red hot between the pipes, now allowing two goals or fewer in eight of the past 11 games.
The Oilers dropped to 8-6-1 on the season, which is good for fourth place in the Pacific Division early on. Ryan Strome and Leon Draisaitl both scored for Edmonton, who got 30 saves from goaltender Mikko Koskinen. One player that did not produce for the Oilers was Connor McDavid, who was held off the scoresheet for just the second time this season. This down night put an end to his eight-game point streak, which consisted of six goals and five assists.
The Oilers' road trip is not over yet, as they have one more test against the Florida Panthers on Thursday night. Meanwhile, the Lightning stay home to host the first-place New York Islanders that same night.
