Dec 11, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) skates with the puck as Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Ron Hainsey (65) attemoted to defend during the second period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nikita Kucherovscored twice, including the game-winner with 30 seconds left, to lift the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 2-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes.
The win snapped a two-game losing streak for the Bolts.
Kucherov scored the game-winner at 19:30 of the third. He received the puck in the left faceoff circle and attempted to pass the puck to a streakingTyler Johnson. However, the puck hit Carolina (8-17-3) defencemanRon Hainsey’s skate a trickled pastCam Wardin the Hurricanes goal.
The Lightning’s (19-8-3) first goal was just as fortunate.
On the power play afterRiley Nashwas called for tripping,Anton Stralmandumped the puck along the boards and after Ward went to play it, the puck took an awkward bounce to the front of the crease where Kucherov tapped home into the gaping goal at 6:35 of the third.
Carolina tied the game at 12:03 whenJustin Faulk’s wrister beatEvgeni Nabokov.
Nabokov, who was named first star, made 29 saves. Ward stopped 25 shots.
Ondrej Palatmissed his first game of the season as he was scratched with a lower body injury. He is considered day-to-day.Mark Barberiowas a healthy scratch.
The Lightning also announced earlier in the day thatJonathan Drouinwould be staying with Tampa Bay and will not be joining Canada at the World Juniors.
The Bolts begin a five game road trip with a visit to Washington to face the Capitals Saturday night.
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