Kucherov scores on the power play in overtime as Lightning beat Wild 4-3

By Vancouver Television Sports Desk

Nik​ita Kucherov scored on the power play 3:23 into overtime and the Tampa Bay Lightning completed a late rally to defeat the Minnesota Wild 4-3 at Grand Casino Arena on Saturday. The win capped a dramatic finish in which Tampa Bay erased a third-period deficit and took control of the extra session with Kucherov’s wrist shot from the slot.

Kucherov, who also recorded an assist, beat Wild goaltender Calvin Pickard glove-side to end the game. His overtime goal arrived after Charle-Edouard D’Astous tied the score 3-3 at 16:29 of the third period on a 6-on-4 power-play goal, with Minnesota’s goaltender Dennis Hildeby pulled for the extra attacker.

The goal by D’Astous completed Tampa Bay’s comeback from a two-goal deficit late in the third period. With Hildeby in the crease for Minnesota, the Lightning’s surge continued to keep the Wild pinned in situations that featured extended-man advantages and decisive scoring chances.

Jake Guentzel led Tampa Bay offensively, finishing with two goals and an assist. D’Astous also contributed two assists in addition to his tying goal, helping the Lightning extend their winning run to three straight games and reach a six-game point streak, moving to an 11-3-2 record.

For Minnesota, Maxim Shabanov scored twice and Blake Coleman added a goal. Despite the loss, the Wild extended their own point streak to eight games, settling at 12-3-4, and they saw their current streak of three consecutive wins end in a tightly contested matchup against Tampa Bay.

Coleman gave Minnesota an early advantage, scoring just 55 seconds into the opening period. He skated into the zone and fired a wrist shot that tucked the puck into the corner of the far post, setting the tone for a fast start before the Lightning responded and found their rhythm.

Shabanov doubled Minnesota’s lead at 2:58 of the second period on the power play. His backhand shot from in front increased the Wild’s edge to 2-0, putting more pressure on Tampa Bay to generate equalizing chances while facing a disciplined Minnesota start.

Tampa Bay answered with a pair of late-game momentum shifts in the second period. Guentzel scored at 16:34, cutting the deficit to 2-1 by slipping a slap shot under Pickard’s glove with 23 seconds remaining on a four-minute man-advantage.

In the third period, Minnesota regained control when Shabanov scored again at 6:49 to make it 3-1. He went up the ice, skated past the defense, and buried a wrist shot five-hole, restoring a two-goal lead and forcing Tampa Bay to close the game with urgency.

Guentzel added another strike to keep Tampa Bay in contention, scoring at 13:44 after tipping Brayden Point’s shot in front to bring the Lightning within one goal at 3-2. Then D’Astous’ power-play tying goal at 16:29 sent the game to overtime, where Kucherov delivered the winner.

Between the pipes, Hildeby made 19 saves for Minnesota, while Pickard stopped 30 shots for the Wild. Tampa Bay’s overtime triumph came after Minnesota entered the matchup following a 4-1 win against the San Jose Sharks on Friday.