Vladislav Gavrikov scored just 25 seconds into overtime, helping the Los Angeles Kings end the Tampa Bay Lightning’s five-game winning streak with a 4-3 victory on Saturday night. Steven Stamkos scored twice in the last 4:34 of regular play for Tampa Bay, tying the game with 45.8 seconds remaining while the Lightning had a 6-on-5 advantage.
However, Gavrikov quickly sealed the win with his sixth goal of the season in overtime after the Kings executed a clever set play to start the 3-on-3 period, allowing Gavrikov to break in alone on Andrei Vasilevskiy early in OT.
Trevor Moore and Mikey Anderson also scored for Los Angeles as they secured their fourth consecutive home win, defeating a strong Tampa Bay team that had only lost once in March.
Despite a slow period earlier in the season that led to coach Todd McLellan’s firing, the Kings are now on track for their third straight playoff berth, showing improved confidence with eight wins in their last 12 games.
Adrian Kempe contributed with a goal and an assist, while Cam Talbot made 21 saves for the Kings, who finished a perfect three-game homestand with their fifth win in seven games.
Tampa Bay, known for its strong power-play scoring, managed to score all three of its goals with a man advantage. Los Angeles, however, boasts the NHL’s top penalty-killing unit, and coach Jim Hiller expressed satisfaction with their effort despite the Lightning’s success.
Stamkos, with his goals, extended his points streak to eight games, while NHL scoring leader Nikita Kucherov extended his points streak to 13 games with the primary assist on Stamkos’ tying goal.
Los Angeles scored first in the opening period through Quinton Byfield, with Trevor Moore and Mikey Anderson adding goals in the second and third periods respectively. Brayden Point and Steven Stamkos scored for Tampa Bay to level the score, but it was the Kings who secured the overtime victory.
The game held significance as it coincided with the 30th anniversary of Wayne Gretzky’s NHL career record-breaking 802nd goal, scored for the Kings at the Forum.
