Andrei Vasilevskiy delivered a stellar performance with 27 saves, securing his fourth shutout of the season and 38th of his career, leading the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 3-0 win over the Calgary Flames on Thursday night. This victory marked the Lightning's seventh consecutive win, the longest streak since early 2020. Nikita Kucherov opened the scoring late in the first period, with Erik Cernak and Brandon Hagel adding to the tally. Despite a strong showing from Calgary's Dustin Wolf, the Flames faced their third shutout of the season.

Key moments included a critical save from Vasilevskiy early in the second period, denying a rebound chance from Jonathan Huberdeau while the Flames were on a power play. This win emphasizes Tampa Bay's dominance when leading after two periods, improving their record to 20 consecutive victories in such scenarios.

Brandon Saad netted a quick goal 18 seconds into the third period, leading the Vegas Golden Knights to a decisive 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks. With this win, Vegas not only extended their winning streak to three games but also seized sole possession of the Pacific Division's top spot, two points ahead of the Edmonton Oilers. Saad, who joined the Golden Knights recently, has scored twice in five games, a notable improvement from his stint with the St. Louis Blues.

Ivan Barbashev added another for Vegas, marking his first goal since mid-December. Tomas Hertl also contributed to the scoreline while Brett Howden facilitated two assists, showcasing the team's offensive depth. Adin Hill was solid in goal, saving 32 shots and preserving the lead during crucial moments, including a remarkable series of stops in the third period. The Canucks struggled despite Jake DeBrusk scoring his 300th career point. Key players like Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes were limited due to injuries, impacting Vancouver's performance.

Brandon Saad, a veteran forward, has recently signed with the Vegas Golden Knights after parting ways with the St. Louis Blues. Saad's decision came after a strong interest from multiple NHL teams, including the New Jersey Devils, Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Tampa Bay Lightning. The Devils, in particular, were keen to enhance their offensive depth, given their struggles in secondary scoring this season.

In 43 games across the Blues and Golden Knights this season, Saad tallied eight goals and 17 points, demonstrating his consistent ability to contribute offensively. His track record includes reaching the 20-goal mark in seven seasons, making him a valuable asset for any contender. The implications of Saad's choice to join Vegas, a team with championship aspirations, will be closely watched as he aims to make an impact in the postseason.

The New York Islanders secured a narrow 2-1 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights, marking their eighth win in nine games. Brock Nelson scored the decisive goal in the third period while Ilya Sorokin made 34 saves, further establishing himself as a key player for the Islanders. The win improves the Islanders' record to 11-3-0 since January 5, and Nelson, netting his 16th goal, was supported by assists from Alexander Romanov and Tony DeAngelo.

Bo Horvat also contributed with a goal in the first period, his 19th of the season. Despite a solid performance, the Golden Knights struggled, with Brandon Saad managing to score but ultimately falling short. The loss extends Vegas's losing streak to four games, now 12-11-3 on the road.

The New York Islanders secured a narrow 2-1 victory against the Vegas Golden Knights, continuing their strong performance with their eighth win in nine games. Brock Nelson broke the tie in the third period with a deflection off Alexander Romanov's shot, marking his 16th goal of the season. Bo Horvat opened the scoring for the Islanders, netting his 19th goal late in the first period. The Knights struggled, losing their fourth straight game despite Brandon Saad's effort, which was his first goal since joining the team. Ilya Sorokin was instrumental, making 34 saves, further solidifying his record of 20 wins for the season.