Nikita Kucherov scored three times on Tuesday night, while Steven Stamkos added three points to help the Tampa Bay Lightning defeat the Buffalo Sabres, 6-1 at KeyBank Center.
Ondrej Palat scored just over two minutes into the game to give the Lightning a 1-0 lead. 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 helped set up the goal. He received an assist, along with Alex Killorn.
Buffalo failed to score in the opening 20 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 due to a lower-body injury.
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. Stamkos then scored his 17th goal of the year after a pass by Killorn from below the goal line.
Vinnie Hinostroza got the Sabres on the scoreboard 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.
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GAME RECAP:
Scoring 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)
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 18:28 - Zemgus Girgensons (Slashing - 2 min.)
TBL: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: 17:11 - Dylan Cozens (Interference - 2 min.)
TBL: 4:26 - Corey Perry (Slashing - 2 min.); 8:00 - Nikita Kucherov (Hooking - 2 min.); 16:21 - Patrick Maroon (Goaltender interference - 2 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
TBL: 3:41 - Corey Perry (Tripping - 2 min.)
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Nikita Kucherov - TBL
2.) Steven Stamkos - TBL
3.) Anthony Cirelli - TBL
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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.
