Tampa, F.L. (WGR Sports Radio 550) – Two of the NHL’s hottest teams square off on Tuesday night in downtown Tampa. Colten Ellis and the Buffalo Sabres visit Andrei Vasilevskiy and the Lightning at Benchmark International Arena.

Halfway through the opening period was when we saw the first goal. Nikita Kucherov was the beneficiary of a Rasmus Dahlin turnover.

Dahlin’s stick was broken earlier in the Tampa Bay possession. Jason Zucker gave up his stick to the captain. Unfortunately, the next time the puck found Dahlin he coughed possession up to Jake Guentzel. The forward passed quickly to linemate Kucherov to open the scoring 10:24 into the game.

Just over six-minutes later, Mattias Samuelsson added to his magical season and tied the game at a goal apiece.

Sometimes to solve a goalie like Andrei Vasilevskiy, it takes a bit of creativity. Samuelsson did so with another tight-angle shot, and squeaked a goal just between Vasilevksiy’s right-side and the pipe.

Making the moms proud 💙 pic.twitter.com/mGQnsYskN3

— NHL (@NHL) February 4, 2026

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SCORING RECAP:

First Period:
BUF: 16:53 – Mattias Samuelsson (10) (Unassisted)
TBL: 10:24 – Nikita Kucherov (29) (Jake Guentzel)

Second Period:
BUF:
TBL:

Third Period:
BUF:
TBL:

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STATS OF THE GAME

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Bluestar Home Services Three Stars of the Game:

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What’s Next:

The blue and gold’s final game before the Olympic break is at home on Thursday night, February 5 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Puck drop at KeyBank Center is set for 7 p.m. EST with Dan Dunleavy and Rob Ray on the call.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Sarah Stier/Getty Images