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Lightning take charge late to end Kraken’s win streak

Jan 16, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Kraken goaltender Philipp Grubauer (31) makes a save on a wraparound shot attempt by Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (71) during the first period at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Andrei Vasilevskiy made 22 saves as the Tampa Bay Lightning put an end to Seattle’s franchise-record, eight-game winning streak, defeating the host Kraken 4-1 in a Martin Luther King Jr. Day matinee.

Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, Nicholas Paul, Brandon Hagel and Victor Hedman scored for the Lightning, the latter two empty-netters in the final 1:39, as the three-time defending Eastern Conference champions won for the eighth time in their past 10 games.

Vince Dunn scored for Seattle and Philipp Grubauer stopped 27 of 29 shots.

The Lightning shut down a Seattle team that had outscored opponents 43-16 over its eight-game run.

The Lightning took the lead at 18:43 of the first period after the Kraken failed to clear their defensive zone.

Alex Wennberg’s pass from behind his own net went off the skate of teammate Ryan Donato and Tampa Bay’s Corey Perry tracked down the loose puck in the left faceoff circle. Perry sent the puck back to Ian Cole at the left point for a one-timer. Bellemare was positioned in front of the net and tipped the waist-high shot over Grubauer’s shoulder.

The Lightning extended their lead at 6:44 of the third following another turnover.

Dunn won a battle with Paul behind his own net, but then overskated the puck as he tried to bring it beyond the goal line. Paul picked up the loose puck, spun and put a quick wrist shot over Grubauer’s shoulder and into the roof of the net.

The Kraken pulled within 2-1 at 10:44 of the third following Matty Beniers’ faceoff win in the offensive zone. Adam Larsson kept the puck from crossing the blue line and passed to Dunn at the right point. His slap shot through a screen deflected off Cole’s left knee and past Vasilevskiy.

Grubauer stopped Steven Stamkos on a pair of close-range chances early in the first period, thwarting the Lightning star in his bid for his 500th career NHL goal.

–Field Level Media

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