Kucherov, Guentzel Lead Lightning to 5-1 Victory Over Red Wings

The Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Detroit Red Wings 5-1 on Saturday night, with Nikita Kucherov and Jake Guentzel each contributing a goal and two assists. Darren Raddysh also had a goal and an assist for the Lightning, who won their third game in four outings. Brayden Point and Mitchell Chaffee added goals, while Andrei Vasilevskiy made 39 saves.

Lucas Raymond scored the lone goal for the Red Wings, who lost for the third time in 11 games since Todd McClellan was named coach on December 26th. Cam Talbot allowed five goals on 16 shots before being replaced by Alex Lyon to start the third period. Lyon finished with six saves.

The Lightning blew the game open early in the second period, scoring three times in a span of 3:52 on goals from Guentzel, Kucherov, and Chaffee. This marked the 17th time this season the Lightning have scored at least three goals in a period, tying them with Washington for most in the league.

Kucherov wowed the crowd early in the second period when he pulled the puck to his backhand to dance around Patrick Kane and past Alex DeBrincat to get to the slot. He then lifted a wrist shot over Talbot at 1:50 to give Tampa Bay a 3-0 lead.

Kucherov recorded his 600th career assist, one game after Victor Hedman recorded his 600th assist.

The Red Wings play at Dallas on Sunday, and the Lightning are in Toronto on Monday.