TAMPA, Fla. — Nikita KucherovHe had two nifty assists on his return from a long injury. They were key to the Lightning’s 3-1 win over the Lightning. Calgary FlamesThursday night
Corey Perry, Brayden Point, Ondrej PalatAnd Alex KillornScored to help Tampa Bay (23-8-5 and 51 points) reach 50 points for the fourth consecutive season. Andrei VasilevskiyHe made 26 saves and lost his shutout bid Dillon DubeScored with 4:06 remaining
Kucherov, who missed 32 matches due to an undisclosed injury to his lower-body that required surgery, sent a pass into the slot from the bottom right circle. Point scored Point’s goal which made the Lightning go up 2-0, 2:52, and third. The right wing spun behind Palat’s goal at 10:00 and made a pass through the slot.
Just 14 seconds after Palat’s goal, Killorn made it 4-1.
Flames backup goalie Dan VladarIn his first game since Dec. 7, he stopped 29 shots Johnny GaudreauHis 11-game streak of road points (nine goals and 18 points) came to an end.
Perry opened the scoring at 12.21 in the second.
Calgary right wing Brad RichardsonFor an illegal head check, a match penalty was applied Mathieu JosephWith five minutes remaining in the second. Joseph was not injured.
Tampa Bay beat the Flames by 14-8. They also hit the post twice in a scoreless opening period. Vladar saved Steven Stamkos’ drive to the left circle from Kucherov’s shot at the low right circle from Kucherov during a power play in the second period.
Following Killorn’s goal that resulted in a scrum killing Killorn, Gaudreau appeared contact with Stamkos behind his net. The game saw three fights.
WELCOME BACK
Calgary center Blake ColemanHis 2021 Stanley Cup Ring from the Lightning was presented to him before the morning skate and video tribute during the first period.
Coleman, who was a Tampa Bay Cup winner twice, signed as an unrestricted agent with the Flames in the offseason. He scored two goals during Tampa Bay’s five-game victory over Montreal in July.
Jon Cooper, Lightning coach, said that “I cannot say enough great things Blake Coleman.” His intangibles are extraordinary. He is the reason we don’t win cups without him. This brings back so many great memories. However, it also brings back some very sad memories.