NHL: Lightning strikes in overtime as Tampa tries to keep up with Carolina in the Central Division

Tampa Bay, Florida - The Lightning inched closer to the Hurricanes in the Central Division standings on Monday night, after beating Carolina in overtime.

Lightning center Yanni Gourde scored the game-winner for Tampa Bay on Monday night
Lightning center Yanni Gourde scored the game-winner for Tampa Bay on Monday night  © IMAGO / Icon SMI

In Tampa Bay, division contenders matched up with the Lightning getting an important win over the Canes, 3-2.

Alex Killorn (31) scored a "Gordie Howe Hat Trick" – a goal, assist, and fight – in Monday night's win, as the defending Stanley Cup champions looked to get closer to taking the division lead over from the Hurricanes. While Tampa's currently third in the division, it's viewed as one of the strongest teams in the entire league.

The game was tight all throughout, with neither team scoring more than once in the periods in which they did light the lamp. Tampa was leading 2-1 going into the third, but a goal by Brady Skjei tied things up for Carolina as the game went into sudden-death overtime. With two minutes, fifty seconds into the extra period, it was center Yanni Gourde scoring the goal to give Tampa the win.

Release the Kraken! Macklemore and Marshawn Lynch get in on the hockey game
NHL Release the Kraken! Macklemore and Marshawn Lynch get in on the hockey game

Brayden Point also scored one of Tampa's three goals, which brought him up to 300 career points so far. Goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy got his league-leading 27th win, making 25 saves in the process for the Lightning.

For Andrei Svechnikov scored the Canes' other goal, while Petr Mrazek made 33 saves in the loss.

The Lightning and the Canes face off again on Tuesday night.

Around the NHL

The Oilers scored four third-period goals to beat the Canadiens 4-1 on Monday night
The Oilers scored four third-period goals to beat the Canadiens 4-1 on Monday night  © IMAGO / Icon SMI

In Florida, the Panthers managed to keep their place in the Central Division with the 4-2 win over the Blue Jackets. And the Stars get the shootout victory over the Red Wings 3-2.

The Predators played tough at home, beating the Blackhawks 5-2, while the Senators doused the Flames 4-2.

It was a dull game in Edmonton until the Oilers put up four goals in the third to overpower the Canadiens 4-1. And the Wild have won four straight now, winning 5-2 over the Coyotes.

The Golden Knights needed a shootout to defeat the Sharks 3-2.

On Tuesday, the Maple Leafs hope to avoid a five-game skid, while the Devils go to Pittsburgh to play the Penguins.

Cover photo: IMAGO / Icon SMI

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