Jake Guentzel scored a power-play goal late in the third period to break the tie, and the Tampa Bay Lightning began their four-game road trip with a 4-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday afternoon.
Guentzel’s goal came when a shot from the Lightning deflected off Vancouver’s goalie Kevin Lankinen (who made 28 saves) and hit the Lightning player. It then bounced off Vancouver’s Noah Juulsen and went in for Guentzel’s 12th goal of the season.
The goal was initially called off due to a hand pass, but a quick review confirmed it was valid. Brayden Point sealed the victory with an empty-net goal, giving Tampa Bay its 11th win in the past 13 games (11-2-0) against Vancouver.
Point finished with two goals and two assists, including his 300th career assist. Nikita Kucherov returned to the lineup after missing two games and added a goal and two assists. Goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy made 22 saves.
Anthony Cirelli was hit hard into the boards by Juulsen in the first period and did not return to the game.
For the Canucks, Quinn Hughes and Kiefer Sherwood scored, but Vancouver’s record over the past three games dropped to 1-1-1.
Vancouver Canucks and Columbus Blue Jackets
Wearing their black throwback jerseys, Vancouver had an early advantage when Tampa Bay’s Brandon Hagel received a double-minor high-sticking penalty, leaving Hughes bleeding. However, the Lightning killed off the extended power play, allowing just one shot on Vasilevskiy.
Hughes returned to the ice after receiving medical attention and, with 3:52 left in the first period, scored a backhand goal from the left circle to give Vancouver a 1-0 lead.
Soon after, Vasilevskiy stopped Max Sasson’s breakaway attempt for his first NHL goal. Kucherov then tied the game at 4:40 of the second period, scoring his 13th goal from the right circle.
Point scored a power-play goal less than two minutes later, marking his 99th career goal and giving Tampa Bay a 2-1 lead. The Lightning dominated the second period, outshooting Vancouver 18-5.
Sherwood tied the game at 4:52 of the third, pushing a shot past Vasilevskiy for his eighth goal.