In a dominant performance, the Tampa Bay Lightning extended their winning streak to eight games, defeating the Washington Capitals 3-1, with Andrei Vasilevskiy turning aside 20 of 21 shots. Mitchell Chaffee and Gage Goncalves both found the net, while Brandon Hagel secured the win with an empty-net goal. Alex Ovechkin scored his 884th career goal for the Capitals, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a lackluster offensive display.

Despite the loss, Washington still holds a lead in the Eastern Conference but has fallen into a three-game skid. Tampa's defensive strategy and Vasilevskiy’s capable goaltending could bode well for their playoff prospects, especially with Nikita Kucherov extending his point streak to 10 games.

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.

The Tampa Bay Lightning continued their impressive form with a 4-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers, marking their sixth win in a row. Nikita Kucherov played a pivotal role with two assists, while goals came from Brandon Hagel, Nick Paul, Mikey Eyssimont, and Victor Hedman. The Lightning are now 7-0-1 in their last eight games. The Oilers, despite Leon Draisaitl's NHL-leading 43rd goal, suffered their fourth consecutive loss, showcasing defensive struggles as they have been outscored 17-7 in their last three outings.

A critical moment of the match was Hagel's backhanded wraparound goal that gave Tampa a 2-1 lead early in the second period. Andrei Vasilevskiy made 23 saves, ensuring his team held strong defensively. As the Lightning look ahead to facing the Calgary Flames, they will aim to maintain their dominance at home, where they boast a 9-1-1 record since January 1.

The Hart Trophy race is heating up, with Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning emerging as a dark horse candidate despite being listed at +1000 odds. Averaging 1.57 points per game, Kucherov trails only Leon Draisaitl and Nathan MacKinnon in the scoring race. His clutch performances, including seven game-winning goals, showcase his value to the Lightning. Kucherov's ability to drive offensive production is further illustrated by his partnerships with teammates like Brayden Point and Jake Guentzel, where both lines have excelled offensively.

The Tampa Bay Lightning are also in contention for the Atlantic Division title, currently only four points behind the Toronto Maple Leafs with a game in hand. Their recent 6-0-1 stretch indicates they are finding their form as the season approaches its climax. GM Julien BriseBois may make moves to bolster the lineup ahead of the trade deadline, potentially improving their chances of finishing atop the division. With favorable matchups against non-contending teams, the Lightning's +375 odds to win the division are enticing for bettors.

Brandon Hagel's decisive goal early in the third period propelled the Tampa Bay Lightning to a hard-fought 4-3 victory over the Ottawa Senators, ending their five-game win streak. The Lightning's offensive efforts were complemented by goals from Luke Glendening, Nikita Kucherov, and Ryan McDonagh, alongside Andrei Vasilevskiy's 25 saves. Ottawa's Michael Amadio, Claude Giroux, and Drake Batherson contributed goals but fell short.

The matchup saw a see-saw battle, with Ottawa initially leading after Amadio's power-play goal. However, Tampa Bay quickly responded, tying the game and pushing ahead. Despite Ottawa’s resilience, highlighted by Thomas Chabot's two assists and a strong performance from Linus Ullmark in goal, they couldn't maintain their early advantage.