TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Lightning fell to the Winnipeg Jets 7-4 on Sunday afternoon at Canada Life Centre.
Despite taking an early 2-0 lead in the first period with goals from Brandon Hagel and Brayden Point, the Lightning were unable to maintain their momentum. The Jets responded with three unanswered goals, taking a 3-2 lead.
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The two teams traded goals in the second and third periods. Mitchell Chaffee and Nikita Kucherov scored for the Lightning, but the Jets ultimately pulled away with two empty-net goals in the final minutes of the game.
Several Lightning players reached notable milestones during the game. Zemgus Girgensons played in his 700th career NHL game, becoming the third Latvian-born player to achieve this feat. Brayden Point extended his scoring streak to five games, while Nikita Kucherov tallied a goal and an assist, marking his third consecutive game with a point. Victor Hedman also recorded an assist, tying Steven Stamkos for second-most assists in Lightning history.
READ: Lightning Face Tough Test Against High-Flying Jets
Despite these individual achievements, the Lightning struggled to contain the Jets’ offense and were outshot 34-30. Their power play converted once on two opportunities, while their penalty kill faltered, allowing three goals on five attempts.
The Lightning will aim to rebound from these back-to-back losses as they continue their road trip with upcoming games against the St. Louis Blues, Philadelphia Flyers, and Pittsburgh Penguins.
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