Nikita Kucherov becomes Lightning’s all-time points leader, but Tampa Bay falls to Utah Mammoth in OT

By Vancouver Television Sports Desk

Nikita Kucherov became the Tampa Bay Lightning’s all-time points leader with an assist, but the Utah Mammoth rallied for a 5–4 overtime win at Delta Center on Saturday in an NHL game between the two clubs.

Kucherov finished the night with 1,138 points for Tampa Bay across 890 games, breaking the previous franchise mark held by Steven Stamkos. Stamkos ended his Tampa Bay tenure tied on the all-time total with 1,137 points (555 goals, 582 assists) in 1,082 games and now plays for the Nashville Predators.

In overtime, Dmitri Simashev scored the winner at 1:44 after tapping in a pass from Barrett Hayton from the left post on the rush. Simashev also had a milestone night in regulation, scoring his first two NHL goals for Utah.

The Mammoth received goals from Dylan Guenther and Anders Lee as well, while Vincent Trocheck contributed two assists. Utah improved to 8–4–0 for the season, and the win ended a stretch that included losses in two of three games prior to Saturday.

Karel Vejmelka made 28 saves for Utah. For Tampa Bay, Jake Guentzel and Brayden Point scored, and Nikita Kucherov added the assist tied to his franchise points record. The Lightning fell to 7–3–1 after losing consecutive games, including a 6–3 defeat to the Colorado Avalanche on Friday.

Dennis Hildeby made 23 saves for Tampa Bay as the Lightning tried to hold a lead through a back-and-forth scoring sequence. Guentzel gave Tampa Bay a 1–0 advantage at 5:10 of the first period when his shot from the point went in off the stick of Nate Schmidt through the legs of Vejmelka.

Utah answered quickly. Kailer Yamamoto tied it 1–1 at 7:02 by deflecting a pass across the crease off the stick of Emil Lilleberg and past Hildeby.

Pontus Holmberg restored Tampa Bay’s lead 2–1 at 10:06 with a wrist shot over the shoulder of Vejmelka. The Lightning then made it 3–1 at 12:42 when Point’s power-play goal came off a tap-in from Kucherov.

Guenther cut the deficit to 3–2 at 17:39 on the power play, finishing with a one-timer. Conor Geekie extended the Lightning lead 4–2 at 5:32 of the second period by lifting the puck over Vejmelka’s glove.

The Mammoth continued their comeback. Lee made it 4–3 at 14:39 by deflecting a bouncing puck off a shot from MacKenzie Weegar, before Simashev tied the game 4–4 at 17:02 with his first NHL goal, a wrist shot that beat Hildeby blocker side.

From there, the game remained deadlocked through the end of regulation, sending it to overtime. Simashev scored the deciding goal at 1:44 to complete Utah’s 5–4 win, despite Kucherov’s milestone point that set the Lightning franchise record.

Kucherov’s all-time points milestone came as Tampa Bay’s record streak of losses extended to two straight, while Utah’s victory improved the Mammoth to 8–4–0 and gave them momentum after losing two of three games heading into Saturday’s matchup.

With the Lightning pushing for a franchise scoring record but ultimately falling in extra time, Saturday’s result underscored both Kucherov’s impact for Tampa Bay and Utah’s ability to overturn a multi-goal deficit to secure the overtime win.

The game concluded with Utah defeating Tampa Bay 5–4, with Simashev earning the overtime winner and the first-two-goals highlight of the night for the Mammoth.