The Tampa Bay Lightning secured their sixth consecutive victory on Tuesday night, defeating the Edmonton Oilers 4-1 at AMALIE Arena. This win not only extended Tampa Bay's longest winning streak since the 2020-21 season but also improved their season record to 33-20-4.
The game started with the Oilers' Leon Draisaitl, leading the NHL with 43 goals, scoring on the power play at 11:53 of the first period. This moment seemed to set the tone for Edmonton, who were struggling having lost four games straight. Yet, the Lightning quickly answered, with Mikey Eyssimont capitalizing just 1:18 later to tie the game at 1-1.
Lightning went on to dominate the game with four unanswered goals. Brandon Hagel was pivotal, scoring the second goal just 29 seconds after the start of the second period with a swift backhanded wraparound. Subsequently, Victor Hedman scored the third goal, followed by Nick Paul's 18th goal of the season at 7:23 of the third, cementing the Lightning's lead at 4-1.
Andrei Vasilevskiy, the Lightning's goalie, played exceptionally well, turning away 23 shots to preserve the win and extending Tampa Bay's record to 26-1-1 when leading after two periods. His performance was integral to maintaining momentum, particularly after the shaky start against Draisaitl.
According to reports, Tampa Bay managed to score their first 5-on-3 power-play goal of the season during this matchup, illustrating their adaptability and strategic prowess on the ice. They have capitalized on their home advantage, going 9-1-1 at home since January 1, highlighting their strong performance as they continue their playoff push.
Despite Draisaitl's efforts and his leadership amid the Oilers' struggles, the team has shown vulnerabilities, having been outscored 17-7 following the recent 4 Nations Face-Off break. Edmonton, now on their fourth consecutive loss, is searching for solutions as they prepare for their upcoming match against the Florida Panthers on Thursday.
The Lightning will also be hitting the ice again soon, facing the Calgary Flames on Thursday to close out their three-game homestand. This victory not only solidifies their competitive edge but also serves as a significant morale booster as the season progresses. Lightning fans are certainly excited about the prospects their team holds as they ride this winning wave.