Nikita Kucherov scored three times, while Steven Stamkos added three points to help the Tampa Bay Lightning defeat the Buffalo Sabres 6-1 on Tuesday night at KeyBank Center.
Ondrej Palat scored just over two minutes into the game to give the Lightning a 1-0 lead over Buffalo. The forward's 15th goal of the season was assisted by Victor Hedman and Jan Rutta.
The Lightning doubled their lead to 2-0 over Buffalo thanks to Anthony Cirelli's 10th goal of the year. Mikhail Sergachev made the pass that helpe setup the goal. He received an assist, along with Alex Killorn.
Buffalo failed to score in the opening twenty minutes, despite being credited with six shots on goal. Zemgus Girgensons was called for the lone penalty, but the Sabres were able to kill off a majority of the minor.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made seven saves in the first period, but was replaced by Malcolm Subban to start the second.
Kucherov scored on the first shot of the period to balloon Tampa Bay's lead to 3-0. It came with just seconds remaining in Girgensons' minor penalty.
Tampa Bay continued to increase the lead with two more goals before the end of the period, leading the Sabres 5-0 after 40 minutes. Kucherov scored his second straight goal just past the halfway point of the period. Steven Stamkos scored his 17th goal of the year after a pass by Killorn from below the goal line.
Vinnie Hinostroza got the Sabres on the score board during the team's fourth power play of the night. He scored on a rebound chance to make the score 5-1 in favor of Tampa Bay.
Kucherov completed the hat trick with just over six minutes to go in regulation. His third goal of the night, and fourth goal of the season, extended Tampa Bay's lead to 6-1.
Game Summary
Goal Summary
First Period
BUF: none
TBL: 2:16 - Ondrej Palat (15) (Victor Hedman, Jan Rutta)
10:45 - Anthony Cirelli (10) (Mikhail Sergachev, Alex Killorn)
Second Period
BUF: none
TBL: 0:27 - Nikita Kucherov (2) PPG (Steven Stamkos, Brayden Point)
10:21 - Nikita Kucherov (3) (Corey Perry, Steven Stamkos)
14:04 - Steven Stamkos (17) (Alex Killorn, Anthony Cirelli)
Third Period
BUF: 5:31 - Vinnie Hinostroza (7) PPG (Colin Miller, Will Butcher)
TBL: 13:57 - Nikita Kucherov (4) (Victor Hedman, Alex Killorn)
Penalty Summary
First Period
BUF: 18:28 - Zemgus Girgensons (2 min., slashing)
TBL: none
Second Period
BUF: 17:11 - Dylan Cozens (2 min., interference)
TBL: 4:26 - Corey Perry (2 min., slashing)
8:00 - Nikita Kucherov (2 min., hooking)
16:21 - Patrick Maroon (2 min., goaltender interference)
Third Period
BUF: none
TBL: 3:41 - Corey Perry (2 min., tripping)
Losi and Gangi Three Stars
1. Nikita Kucherov
2. Steven Stamkos
3. Anthony Cirelli
Losi and Gangi
What's Next
The blue and gold begin a quick two-game road trip with a trip to Nashville to play the Predators on Thursday night. Buffalo and Nashville drop the puck at eight o'clock on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550. Pregame coverage with Brian Koziol begins at seven p.m.
