Lightning shutout Utah 8-0 in statement game
Mar 27, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Jake Guentzel (59) is congratulated by right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) and center Brayden Point (21) after he scored on Utah Hockey Club goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) during the first period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement NeitzelThursday night was a game full of tributes and milestones as the Lightning welcomed back Mikhail Sergachev as a member of the Utah Hockey Club, and honored Ryan McDonagh as he played in his 1,000th NHL game.
It was the fourth time this year that Tampa Bay has scored eight goals in a game. Jake Guentzel and Victor Hedman got the Lightning off to a quick start.
Guentzel opened the scoring 1:30 into the first period. McDonagh didn’t have to wait long to earn a point in game 1,000, assisting on Guentzel’s goal. Three minutes later, Hedman made it 2-0.
The Lightning continued to build the lead early. Rookie Gage Goncalves made it 3-0 just 5:05 into the second period, and Nikita Kucherov extended the lead to 4-0 with a backhand shot on the rush.
"Obviously we scored a lot of goals,” said Hedman. “But giving up one (goal) in two games, that's a recipe for success.. I'm super proud of these guys, the way they've defended through these last two games."
After two road loses on Saturday and Sunday to Utah and Vegas, the Lightning were laser focused on cleaning up their game defensively.
“That’s what we’ll continue to keep doing, focus on playing good defense,” said Hedman. “We know we're going to get our chances and we're going to score on those.”
Jake Guentzel and Oliver Bjorkstrand both scored two goals each and Brayden Point scored as well, to put the Bolts up 7-0.
“The effort the guys had, all throughout the lineup, from start to finish, doing little things.. blocking shots, taking hits to make plays, finishing on our chances, said McDonagh. “It was an awesome game from start to finish, a great recipe for us.”
"We had the big lead there but kept defending. The guys kept doing the right things in the third period. That's a group that's committed to one another and willing to do what it takes, all the way to the finish, no matter what the score is.”
The Lightning shutout Utah 8-0. Andrei Vasilevskiy had 25 saves, earning his sixth shutout of the season and 40th of his career.