CHICAGO — In an exciting contest on Friday night, Nikita Kucherov made a dramatic impact for the Tampa Bay Lightning, scoring just 58 seconds into overtime to secure a thrilling 4-3 victory against the Chicago Blackhawks. Kucherov also contributed with two assists during the match, showcasing his playmaking abilities and helping the Lightning snap a two-game losing streak. Goalkeeper Jonas Johansson played a key role, making 11 saves throughout the game.
Jake Guentzel shone brightly for the Lightning as well, netting a goal and providing an assist, while Nick Paul and Mitchell Chaffee also found the back of the net. Victor Hedman was instrumental in the offense as he tallied two assists. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks received strong performances from Louis Crevier and Frank Nazar, both recording a goal and an assist, along with Colton Dach, who contributed a goal as well. Arvid Soderblom was busy in net for Chicago, achieving a total of 36 saves.
The action reached a crescendo in the overtime period when Kucherov unleashed a powerful wrist shot from the right circle that beat Soderblom cleanly. Earlier in the game, Crevier had given the Blackhawks an encouraging 3-1 lead with his goal at 4:59 in the second period. However, Tampa Bay rallied with Paul scoring just 8 seconds before the end of the second period to close the gap, and Guentzel managed to redirect Kucherov’s pass with 3.3 seconds remaining in regulation, bringing the game to a tie.
In a significant move, the Blackhawks traded forward Taylor Hall to Carolina in a three-team exchange during the game, signaling a shift toward a younger roster for Chicago. This transition is evident with players like Nazar, Dach—who celebrated his first career goal—and Crevier, all of whom have limited NHL experience.
A pivotal moment came when Guentzel’s last-second goal in the third period seemed to deflate the Blackhawks, who had fended off the Lightning from their crease effectively for much of the game. Notably, the Lightning dominated in shots, firing 40 compared to the Blackhawks’ mere 14, including a staggering 17-1 advantage in the final period and holding the only shot in overtime.
Looking ahead, the Lightning will travel to Detroit for their next matchup on Saturday, while the Blackhawks are set to host the Minnesota Wild on Sunday. The action continues to heat up in the league as teams vie for crucial points in the standings.
