Lightning Defeat Predators, Claim Eastern Conference Lead | Girgensons & Merzļikins in Action – NHL Highlights

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tampa Bay Lightning continued their impressive run, defeating the Nashville Predators 5-2 on Tuesday night and ascending to the top of the Eastern Conference standings. Zemgus Girgensons scored twice, leading the charge for a Lightning team that has now won three straight games after a slow start to the season.

Girgensons, returning to the lineup after missing the first seven games with an upper-body injury, opened the scoring late in the first period. He added his second goal in the third, solidifying the Lightning’s advantage. Brandon Hagel, Nikita Kucherov, and Charl-Edouard D’Astous also found the back of the net for Tampa Bay, while Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 18 shots.

The Predators, meanwhile, suffered their second consecutive loss. Luke Evangelista and Filip Forsberg scored for Nashville, but Juuse Saros faced a barrage of 25 shots and couldn’t prevent the Lightning from taking control of the game. Nashville’s power play, typically a strength, was stifled throughout the contest, failing to capitalize on all four opportunities.

The game’s first goal came at 10:31 of the opening period, courtesy of Girgensons. The Latvian forward’s return to the lineup provided an immediate spark for the Lightning offense. He skillfully navigated the offensive zone, capitalizing on a scoring chance to give Tampa Bay an early lead.

Hagel extended the Lightning’s lead midway through the second period. Just eight seconds after a Lightning power play expired, Hagel corralled a loose puck in front of the Nashville net and slipped it past Saros. The goal marked Hagel’s second in the last three games and fourth assist, showcasing his recent offensive surge. Anthony Cirelli earned an assist on the play, reaching a significant milestone with his 300th career NHL point.

The third period saw a flurry of activity. Evangelista cut the Lightning’s lead to one with a power-play goal at 5:05. However, the Lightning responded quickly. D’Astous, playing in just his third career NHL game, scored his first professional goal at 7:58, restoring Tampa Bay’s two-goal cushion.

Forsberg briefly reignited the Predators’ hopes, scoring with Saros pulled for an extra attacker late in the third. But Kucherov quickly extinguished any comeback attempt, scoring into the empty net to seal the victory for the Lightning.

Tampa Bay’s special teams were a key factor in the win. While they didn’t score on the power play, they successfully killed off all four Predators power plays. Nashville has been remarkably strong on the penalty kill at home this season, allowing just one opponent power-play goal in 27 short-handed situations.

With the win, the Lightning improved to 98 points through 73 games, surpassing their Eastern Conference rivals and claiming the top spot. This victory marks a significant turning point for the Lightning, who struggled to find their footing early in the season. Their recent three-game winning streak demonstrates a renewed commitment to defensive responsibility and offensive execution.

The Lightning will look to continue their winning ways when they host the Dallas Stars on Thursday night. The Predators, meanwhile, will travel to Philadelphia to face the Flyers on the same night.

In other NHL action on Tuesday, the Columbus Blue Jackets suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Boston Bruins in a shootout. Despite building a 3-0 lead in the first period, Columbus ultimately fell 4-3. Pavel Zacha scored twice for the Bruins, including the game-winning shootout goal, while Viktor Arvidsson also found the back of the net. Elvjs Merzļikins was in net for the Blue Jackets, and his teammate, Jets Greaves, stopped 35 of 38 shots.

The Blue Jackets, currently holding the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference with 88 points in 74 games, will face the Carolina Hurricanes at home on Thursday.

The Lightning’s ascent to the top of the Eastern Conference is a testament to their resilience and depth. With key players like Girgensons returning from injury and contributions from throughout the lineup, Tampa Bay is poised to make a deep playoff run. The team’s ability to shut down opposing power plays and capitalize on offensive opportunities will be crucial as they navigate the remainder of the regular season and prepare for the postseason.