TAMPA, Fla. — Nikita Kucherov scored just 33 seconds into overtime to give the Tampa Bay Lightning a 2-1 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday.
Brandon Hagel also found the back of the net for the Lightning, who picked up their second win in a row after a sluggish start to the season, opening 1-4-2. Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy made 18 saves, earning his first win of the season in his sixth start.
William Karlsson scored the lone goal for Vegas, which suffered its second loss during its Florida road trip. Rookie goalie Carl Lindbom, making his NHL debut, impressed with 26 saves.
The game-winning goal came swiftly in overtime as Kucherov finished a 2-on-1 rush with Hagel. The play began when Hagel intercepted a pass in the defensive zone, setting up the odd-man opportunity on the opening shift of the extra period.
Tampa Bay drew first blood at 4:53 of the opening period when Hagel roofed a rebound from Victor Hedman’s shot, sending it over Lindbom’s glove.
Vegas quickly responded, tying the game with just 1:35 left in the first period. Karlsson converted a cross-ice pass from Reilly Smith, launching a shot under the glove and over Vasilevskiy’s pad.
The Golden Knights struggled offensively in the second period, registering only two shots on goal and a franchise-low eight shots through 40 minutes. Yet, Lindbom stood tall, turning aside all 11 shots in the middle frame to keep the score tied.
Tampa Bay appeared to take the lead twice in the third period, but both goals were disallowed. The first was waved off after the puck hit referee Frederick L’Ecuyer and bounced into the net. Later, Kucherov scored with 6:40 remaining, but the Golden Knights successfully challenged for offside on the entry, nullifying the goal.
Vegas did have two power-play opportunities in the third period but was unable to capitalize.
With this hard-fought win, the Lightning look to build momentum as the season progresses, while the Golden Knights aim to find their scoring touch on the road.
http://lasvegassun.com//news/2025/oct/26/golden-knights-fall-in-ot-at-lightning-2-1/