The Tampa Bay Lightning are slowly pulling away in the Atlantic Division, as their hot start is no longer just a hot start, but now a hot team. Tampa Bay continued to prove that on the road Thursday night, blowing out the Los Angeles Kings, 6-2, for their seventh straight victory. Nikita Kucherov finished with a goal and three assists, helping Tampa Bay extend their point streak to 16 consecutive games. That is the longest such streak in the league this season, and they have gone 15-0-1 in that span. Steven Stamkos also had a big night with three points, which included a goal and two assists in their 32nd win of the season. They are a stellar 32-7-2 on the season, and hold a 12-point lead for the best record in the entire Eastern Conference.
Brayden Point added a goal and an assist in the big win, while Andrei Vasilevskiy enjoyed the support while making 28 saves. The goaltender has now won six straight games himself, and cruised to this one after his team gave him a 3-0 lead in the first period. Kucherov's goal gave him his 400th career point, as he found the back of the net on a 5-on-3 power play just 6:28 in to the game. He now has a 12-game point streak that includes eight goals and 19 assists.
The Kings' struggles continued, as they have dropped three of their past four games, and are now back in last place in the Pacific Division. Jonathan Quick made 27 saves, while Drew Doughty and Austin Wagner scored in their 23rd defeat of the season. They fell behind 4-0 in the second period and were constantly playing behind due to them giving the Lightning numerous man advantages. They found a bit of a groove after making a head coaching change, but have now fallen back in to the tough play that they opened the season with.
The Kings will look to find a victory on their home ice when they host the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night. Meanwhile, the Lightning will stay out west to visit the San Jose Sharks in major showdown that same night.
Brayden Point added a goal and an assist in the big win, while Andrei Vasilevskiy enjoyed the support while making 28 saves. The goaltender has now won six straight games himself, and cruised to this one after his team gave him a 3-0 lead in the first period. Kucherov's goal gave him his 400th career point, as he found the back of the net on a 5-on-3 power play just 6:28 in to the game. He now has a 12-game point streak that includes eight goals and 19 assists.
The Kings' struggles continued, as they have dropped three of their past four games, and are now back in last place in the Pacific Division. Jonathan Quick made 27 saves, while Drew Doughty and Austin Wagner scored in their 23rd defeat of the season. They fell behind 4-0 in the second period and were constantly playing behind due to them giving the Lightning numerous man advantages. They found a bit of a groove after making a head coaching change, but have now fallen back in to the tough play that they opened the season with.
The Kings will look to find a victory on their home ice when they host the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night. Meanwhile, the Lightning will stay out west to visit the San Jose Sharks in major showdown that same night.
