Kucherov scores in OT to give Lightning 2-1 win over Golden Knights

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Nikita Kucherov scored 33 seconds into overtime and the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Vegas Golden Knights 2-1 on Sunday.

Brandon Hagel also scored for the Lightning, making it back-to-back after a 1-4-2 start to the season. Andrei Vasilevskiy finished with 18 saves and earned his first win of the season in his sixth start.

William Karlsson scored for Vegas, which lost both games due to the Florida swing. Rookie goaltender Carl Lindbom stopped 26 shots in his first NHL start.

Tampa Bay Lightning's Nikita Kucherov (right) scores a goal against Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carl Lindbom (left) during overtime of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)

Kucherov completed a 2-on-1 with Hagel on the first shift of overtime after Hagel intercepted the puck in the defensive zone, creating a chance for the opposing player.

Hagel opened the scoring at 4:53, deflecting Victor Hedman's shot over Lindbom.

Vegas tied the game with 1:35 left in the first period when Karlsson took a pass from Reilly Smith and fired a shot under the glove and over Vasilevskiy's pad.

Vegas had just two shots on goal in the second period and only eight over two periods, the fewest total per 40 minutes in franchise history. But the score remained 1-1 through two periods, thanks primarily to Lindbom, who stopped all 11 shots in the second period.

Tampa Bay scored twice, but the first goal was not scored as the ball hit referee Frederic L'Ecuyer and ricocheted into the net. Kucherov scored with 6:40 left in the third, but Vegas was called offside entering the game and the goal was knocked off the board.

The Golden Knights had two power play chances in the third period.