Lightning Get Back on Track With 6-2 Win Over Blue Jackets

The Tampa Bay Lightning‘s offense bounced back to take down the Columbus Blue Jackets, 6-2. Lightning captain Victor Hedman and reigning Art Ross winner Nikita Kucherov highlighted the night with three points each. Blue Jackets’ defenseman Zach Werenski had a multi-goal night, scoring both of the team’s goals. He was the only player on Columbus to get onto the scoresheet twice in the game.

The Lightning were coming off an eight-game winning streak being snapped. They snap the Blue Jackets’ four-game winning streak to return to the win column.

Game Recap

It took nearly no time at all for the Lightning to get on the board. Mitchell Chaffee (12) scored just 30 seconds into the first period, with a goal by Kucherov (28) coming 67 seconds later.

Werenski (19) cut the lead in half to end scoring for the first period.

A similar series of events came in the second period. The Lightning scored early on with a goal by Jake Guentzel (28) coming 1:27 into the period. Hedman (10) scored a few minutes later for another Lightning goal. Werenski (20) scored another goal for Columbus to conclude scoring for a period of play.

Hedman (11) and Guentzel (29) both scored again in the final period of play in reverse order to get the game to its final score.

The Lightning went 1-for-3 on the power play, while the Blue Jackets went scoreless on two opportunities with the man advantage. Lightning goalie Jonas Johansson saved 30 of 32 shots on goal (.938), and Elvis Merzlikins stopped 34 of 39 (.872).

Both teams return to action on Thursday. The Lightning stay put at home and will host the Buffalo Sabres. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. EST. The Blue Jackets head south to Sunrise to take on the Florida Panthers. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. as well.

Three Stars of the Game

1. Victor Hedman (two goals, one assist)
2. Nikita Kucherov (one goal, two assists)
3. Zach Werenski (two goals)