NHL: Lightning out to rediscover 'winning feeling' vs. lowly Canucks

The Tampa Bay Lightning’s championship window may not be closing just yet.

The Lightning (41-21-4, 86 points) aim to return to consistent winning form as they travel to Vancouver on Thursday to face the Canucks (21-38-8, 50 points). Both teams have struggled since the Olympic break, making this a crucial matchup for Tampa Bay.

Tampa Bay has won only two of its last seven road games (2-5-0), but its latest outing was a dominant 6-2 victory in Seattle on Tuesday. Leading scorer Nikita Kucherov had a five-point night, showcasing why he remains one of the league’s top offensive threats.

“We know we are a good team. It’s not like we just turned into a bad team after a 20-day break,” said forward Brendan Hagel at practice earlier this week. “We’ve got to find that winning feeling again. That’s what we’re working towards.”

At the start of the season, many questioned the Lightning’s staying power. Despite a roster loaded with top-tier talent, the team isn’t getting younger. Tampa Bay has endured three consecutive first-round playoff exits, including two losses to state rivals and two-time defending Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers.

Yet the Lightning remain near the top of the Eastern Conference with 16 games left in the regular season. “Identity was a big part of when Tampa Bay was winning,” Hagel said, who recorded a goal and three assists against the Kraken. “We missed that the last few years. It goes to show you why we were out in the first round. We want to bring that culture back, and everyone is buying in this year.”

Kucherov, who led the league in scoring the past two seasons and was a Hart Trophy finalist last year, delivered a hat trick and two assists in Tuesday’s win. It marked his ninth five-point game and seventh career hat trick. His 111 points this season rank second in the NHL.

“I’ve watched that guy get 1,100 points… probably 1,105 now,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. “He’s a brilliant player.”

The Canucks, meanwhile, have struggled at home. Despite a 5-2 victory over the visiting Panthers on Tuesday, Vancouver is in the midst of an eight-game homestand and is looking for back-to-back wins at home for the first time this season. The team has just two wins in its last eight home games (2-4-2).

Forward Elias Pettersson ended a 20-game goal drought against Florida by scoring twice on the power play, including his 200th NHL goal. “It was definitely nice to see two go in,” said Pettersson, who hadn’t scored since Jan. 13. “I’ve been trying to simplify and shoot more, and I’m glad two went in.”

Teammate Brock Boeser praised Pettersson’s shot, saying, “A confident ‘Petey.’ We need him to let that bomb go. Even if it hurts a guy in the third period, that’s fine. It creates opportunities. I love to see it, and you have to keep bombing it.”

Still, Pettersson’s struggles this season reflect the Canucks’ broader offensive issues. Vancouver is on track for a second straight season without a 30-goal scorer.

This Thursday matchup is the second and final meeting between the Lightning and Canucks this season. Tampa Bay won the first contest 6-2 at home on Nov. 16.

—Field Level Media/Reuters