LIGHTNING MOUNT COMEBACK, CLOSE GAP IN EASTERN CONFERENCE
Jonathan Drouin (2-0—2) and Anton Stralman (1-1—2) combined for three goals in a span of 4:39 in the second period and Yanni Gourde scored the first overtime goal of his career (15 GP) to help the Lightning overcome a 4-1 deficit and earn their third straight victory.
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Tampa Bay (37-29-9, 83 points) moved within a point of Boston (39-30-6, 84 points) and two points of Toronto (35-24-15, 85 points) – whom they will visit on April 4 and 6, respectively – for third place in the Atlantic Division.
Nikita Kucherov (0-2—2) registered multiple points for the fifth straight game (7-4—11). Kucherov (38-42—80) has recorded career-highs in goals, assists and points, and moved into a share of fourth in League scoring with Brad Marchand (37-43—80). Elias notes that Kucherov is the first Lightning player with five straight multi-point games since Steven Stamkos accomplished the feat from Feb. 9 – March 2, 2010 (5-6—11 in 5 GP).
Tampa Bay overcame a three-goal deficit to win for the first time since Nov. 6, 2011 (4-3 W vs. FLA). Victor Hedman (0-3—3) recorded three assists for the fourth time this season to reach the 50-assist plateau for the first time in his career (15-50—65).
Sergei Bobrovsky (41 saves) earned his 41st victory of the season to extend his point streak to 12 games (10-0-2) and help the Blue Jackets (49-19-7, 105 points) keep pace in the race for the Presidents’ Trophy . . . Max Pacioretty (1-1—2) scored the first of four answered goals as the Canadiens (43-24-9, 95 points) opened a four-point lead for first place in the Atlantic Division . . . Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby (26 saves) became the third goaltender in NHL history to record three consecutive 40-win seasons, joiningMartin Brodeur (2005-08) and Evgeni Nabokov (2007-10) . . . Capitals forward Marcus Johansson (0-4—4) established career highs for assists and points in a game, whileNicklas Backstrom (0-3—3) reached the 60-assist milestone to move within two of the League lead . . . The Red Wings’ run of 25 consecutive postseason appearances officially ended. It is tied for the third-longest such run in NHL history . . . William Nylanderextended his point streak to 12 games (4-10—14), equaling the longest such run by any player in 2016-17 . . . ICYMI: The NHL App debuted a new feature with team-branded app icons.
* Information provided via NHL Press Release
National Hockey League Press Release. Information provided from the NHL that describes various news releases that describe current events in the league.