The Tampa Bay Lightning are the hottest team in the National Hockey League at the moment. They are winners of 10 straight games and have moved into second place in the Atlantic Division. With a record of 28 wins, regulation losses and three losses in extra time, they have 59 points and are one point back of the Atlantic Division leaders Detroit Red Wings.
When did the streak start?
The streak commenced on December 20 in a 6-4 Lightning win over the Carolina Hurricanes. Since then, the Lightning have beaten the St. Louis Blues 4-1 on December 22, the Florida Panthers 4-2 on December 27, the Montreal Canadiens 5-4 in a shootout on December 28, the Anaheim Ducks 4-3 in overtime on New Year’s Eve, the Los Angeles Kings 5-3 on New Year’s Day, the San Jose Sharks 7-3 on January 3, the Colorado Avalanche 4-2 on January 6, the Philadelphia Flyers 7-2 on January 10, and the Flyers again 5-1 on January 12. During the streak, the Lightning have outscored their opponents 51-25. Six of the Lightning wins have come away from home.
Who scored the overtime winner?
Darren Raddysh, the Lightning defenseman from Toronto, Ontario scored from Canadian Olympian Brandon Hagel of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy of Tyumen, Russia in the Lightning win over the Ducks. It was quite the road trip for Raddysh, as he had his first career hat trick in the Lightning win over the Sharks. Raddysh is having an outstanding season for Tampa Bay as a defenseman. He is averaging more than a point power game (39 points in 38 games), is fourth on the Lightning in points, and has been very dependable in his own end as he is an impressive +18.
Kucherov on fire
The best player in the National Hockey League statistically since the Lightning streak began has been right winger Nikita Kucherov of Maykop, Russia. In the 10 game stretch, Kucherov leads all NHL players with 10 goals, 15 assists, and 25 points according to nhl.com. He is also a +15 since December 20, which is the second best plus/minus in the NHL. The only player with a better plus/minus is Kucherov’s Lightning teammate, defenseman J.J. Moser of Biel, Switzerland, who is a +17. In the last 10 games, Kucherov also leads the NHL in even strength goals (eight), even strength points (16), and is second to Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid in power-play points (nine). The Lightning will look to extend the winning streak to 11 when they face the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday.
