The Tampa Bay Lightning scored four unanswered goals to defeat the Edmonton Oilers 4-1 at Amalie Arena, extending their winning streak to six games and sending the Oilers to their fourth consecutive loss. The game started promisingly for the Oilers, who opened the scoring with Leon Draisaitl's power-play goal early in the first period. It marked Draisaitl's 43rd goal of the season and his sixth straight game finding the net, aided by Connor McDavid's impressive assist.
Just two minutes after Draisaitl put the Oilers ahead, the Lightning responded quickly. Mikey Eyssimont tied the game at 1-1 with his backhand shot assisted by Gage Goncalves, igniting the Lightning's offensive momentum. Brandon Hagel then took charge, scoring only 29 seconds after the first intermission, giving the Lightning the lead at 2-1. His performance has been notable, with Hagel earning 11 points, the highest in the NHL since the Lightning's winning streak began on February 4.
The Lightning’s advantage grew to 3-1 when Victor Hedman netted another goal during a rare 5-on-3 power play after two Oilers were penalized for high sticking. This marked the Lightning's first successful conversion on two-man advantages this season. Seven minutes later, Nick Paul capped the scoring for Tampa Bay, sealing the game at 4-1 with his fourth consecutive game scoring. This comprehensive win came off the backs of team cohesion, with Nikita Kucherov contributing two assists and goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy making 23 saves to bolster the Lightning's defense.
The Oilers, struggling with their fourth straight defeat following losses to the Philadelphia Flyers and Washington Capitals, faced significant challenges against the Lightning’s fierce forechecking and defensive strategies. Goaltender Stuart Skinner faced 37 shots, managing to stop 33 but allowing four goals, which only deepened the woes of the Oilers. "We're in a bit of a hole right now as a team, and it's about resiliency. It's about sticking with it," said Edmonton defenseman Mattias Ekholm, reflecting on the team's current struggles.
Despite the rough patch, Ekholm and the Oilers were optimistic about their potential to turn things around. Coach Kris Knoblauch echoed these sentiments, stating, "If there's going to be a time, this is excellent opportunity, and we're not playing our best. We're playing some really good teams, so we can't be not at our best and expect to win those games." The focus now turns to the upcoming challenge against the Florida Panthers, where the Oilers will aim to regroup and improve their performance.
This game not only highlighted the Lightning's offensive prowess but also demonstrated their ability to neutralize the Oilers' attack, especially keeping star Connor McDavid's potential impact from being realized. Tampa Bay Lightning’s performance included solid defensive work, especially from Anthony Cirelli, who shadowed McDavid effectively, denying him high-danger opportunities.
With this victory, the Lightning strengthened their home record to the NHL's best since January 7, standing at 8-1-1, and they will look to maintain this momentum as they prepare to host the Calgary Flames. The Lightning's current run has put them within one point of conference rival Florida, setting the stage for what promises to be another exciting contest.