Stamkos, Kucherov Lead Lightning Over Pens
TAMPA, Fla. — Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov extended their season-opening points streaks to nine games and the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the two-time Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins 7-1 on Saturday night.
Stamkos had a goal and three assists, and Kucherov had two goals and an assist. They are the first teammates to start the season with nine-game streaks since St. Louis’ Pavol Demitra and Doug Weight in 2001-02.
Andrei Vasilevskiy, coming off a 43-save blanking of Columbus on Thursday night, lost his bid for second straight shutout bid on Jake Guentzel’s goal with 1:42 to play. Vasilevskiy finished with 28 saves.
Yanni Gourde, Brayden Point Anton Stralman and Mikhail Sergachev also scored to help the Lightning improve to 7-1-1.
Penguins star Sidney Crosby received both minor and misconduct penalties during the opening 1:36 of the game. Backup goalie Antti Niemi, 0-3 in three starts, stopped 25 shots.
Pittsburgh is 5-2 over its last seven games, with both losses against Tampa Bay.
With Crosby off for cross-checking, Kucherov scored at 1:36 of the first. Kucherov got his 10th goal in Tampa Bay’s three-goal second.
After leaving the penalty box following Kucherov’s first goal, Crosby was given a 10-minute misconduct after arguing with referee Garrett Rank.
KINGS 6, BLUE JACKETS 4
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Anze Kopitar broke a tie with 2:14 left with his second goal of the game and Los Angeles beat Columbus to remain the only NHL team unbeaten in regulation.
BLACKHAWKS 4, COYOTES 2
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Lance Bouma scored on a rebound with 4:24 left in the third period, Corey Crawford stopped 27 shots and Chicago kept Arizona winless.
RANGERS 4, PREDATORS 2
NEW YORK (AP) — Kevin Hayes and Jimmy Vesey each had a goal and an assist and New York beat Nashville to snap a five-game skid.
SABRES 5, BRUINS 4, OT
BOSTON (AP) — Ryan O’Reilly scored 2:59 into overtime to give Buffalo the win over Boston, capping a comeback from a pair of three-goal deficits.
PANTHERS 4, CAPITALS 1
WASHINGTON (AP) — James Reimer stopped 41 shots filling in for the injured Roberto Luongo to help Florida end a three-game losing streak with a win over Washington.
ISLANDERS 5, SHARKS 3
NEW YORK (AP) — Anders Lee had two goals and an assist to lead New York past San Jose.
FLYERS 2, OILERS 1
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Wayne Simmonds scored on a feed from Valtteri Filppula with 2:15 left and Philadelphia held off Edmonton.
FSENATORS 6, MAPLE LEAFS 3
OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Derick Brassard and Mark Stone each had two goals and an assist, Erik Karlsson had three assists and Ottawa beat Toronto.
STARS 4, HURRICANES 3
DALLAS (AP) — Tyler Pitlick scored two goals for the first time in his career, leading Dallas past Carolina.