Jake Guentzel had a hat trick, Oliver Bjorkstrand scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period, and Tampa Bay Lightning rallied for a 6-5 victory over the Buffalo Sabres.
Tampa Bay brings calm to a wide-open contest in the third period and rallies to win for the 10th time in 11 games.
Vitek Vanecek made his Panthers debut with a shutout in a 4-0 win against the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday. The goalie was acquired from the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday for forward Patrick Giles.
Two teams headed in different directions clash on Thursday night as the Buffalo Sabres make the trek south to face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Early in the third, the two newest members of the Lightning teamed up for the eventual game-winning goal. Following a Kucherov right-circle shot, Yanni Gourde knocked the puck to Oliver Bjorkstrand at the top of the crease, and Bjorkstrand swatted it in at 1:40.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 20 saves for the Sabres. Sabres: Buffalo lost its fifth straight. Lightning: Victor Hedman played only three shifts and less than three minutes before leaving 6:27 into ...