The Tampa Bay Lightning got three goals, all created from their offensive stars, as they defeated the San Jose Sharks 4-1 on Tuesday.
Brandon Hagel had two goals and an assist, Nikita Kucherov had two assists, and Jake Guentzel also had a goal and an assist for the Lightning, who extended their point streak to 14 games. Canadian Olympic centerman Anthony Cirelli also scored, and Andrei Vasilevskiy made 22 saves.
Tyler Toffoli scored the only Sharks goal, as the team completes its four-game road trip with a 2-2 record. Macklin Celebrini was held without a point for a second straight game. Tonight is just the second time the San Jose Sharks star has gone two consecutive games without a point. Yaroslav Askarov made 17 saves and is winless in four of his past five starts.
Igor Chernyshov was a healthy scratch in Tuesday’s game. Coach Ryan Warsofsky told reporters that the team is managing his minutes as he adjusts to the NHL. Michael Misa was moved to the top line with Celebrini and Will Smith in the third period. He was playing the left wing, the first time he played on the wing in his NHL career.
Toffoli gave the Sharks a 1-0 lead at 14:37 of the first period. After a face-off win, William Eklund raced around the net, and his wrap-around attempt went up into the air, bounced off Toffoli, and past Vasilevskiy.
Hagel quickly tied the game 33 seconds later. After a defensive zone turnover, Anthony Cirelli found Hagel driving the weak side and tapped in a shot by the glove of Askarov.
Hagel scored his second goal of the game at 1:49 of the second to make it 2-1 Lightning. Hagel got the puck at the side of the net, and his wrap-around was stopped but pushed in by a Sharks defender.
Guentzel pushed the Lightning lead to 3-1 at 3:17. After a turnover behind the Sharks’ net, Dominic James found a wide-open Guentzel in front for the easy one-timer goal by Askarov’s blocker.
Hagel scored an empty goal during a two-on-none at 17:41 of the third period, making the 4-1 final.