Nikita Kucherov scores power-play goal in overtime and Lightning rally for 4-3 win over Wild
Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Dennis Hildeby makes a save against the Minnesota Wild in the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. Credit: AP/Bruce Kluckhohn
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Nikita Kucherov scored a power-play goal 3:23 into overtime and the Tampa Bay Lightning rallied past the Minnesota Wild 4-3 on Saturday night.
In the opener of a four-game trip, the Lightning got two goals and an assist from Jake Guentzel and a goal and two assists from defenseman Charle-Edouard D’Astous. Brayden Point and John Carlson also had two assists, and Dennis Hildeby made 19 saves.
Kucherov took a pass from Guentzel in the slot and ripped a shot past Calvin Pickard for his first goal in seven games.
The reigning NHL MVP, Kucherov recently requested a trade from the Lightning because he feels disrespected by a lack of communication with general manager Julien BriseBois. Kucherov, a two-time MVP, can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
Tampa Bay has won three in a row and is 4-0-2 in its past six games.
Maxim Shabanov scored twice and Blake Coleman once for the Wild, who lead the Western Conference with 28 points. Minnesota had won three straight and is 6-0-2 in its last eight games.
Pickard stopped 30 shots in his third start this season.
Minnesota Wild forward Blake Coleman (20) scores as he skates past Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov, left, in the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. Credit: AP/Bruce Kluckhohn
Shabanov’s second goal gave the Wild a 3-1 lead at 6:49 of the third period. Guentzel, who grew up in Minnesota, scored on a tip in front seven minutes later to start the Tampa Bay rally.
With the Lightning on a power play and Hildeby pulled for an extra skater, D’Astous' slap shot found its way through traffic to tie the game with 3:31 left in regulation.
Minnesota, which beat San Jose 4-1 on Friday, was up 2-0 less than three minutes into the game.
Coleman scored off a rush at the 55-second mark and Shabanov scored a power-play goal on a rebound barely two minutes later.
Minnesota Wild players celebrate after a goal by Maxim Shabanov against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. Credit: AP/Bruce Kluckhohn
Guentzel scored near the end of a four-minute power play late in the second with a one-timer from the right circle. It was the only shot Tampa Bay had during the man advantage.
The Foligno brothers returned to the Wild lineup and were involved in a dustup midway through the first period.
Nick Foligno, who missed 15 games with an upper-body injury, was assessed a roughing minor. Back after 14 games with a lower-body injury, Marcus Foligno fought Scott Sabourin in an ensuing scrum.
Up next
Lightning: At the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday.
Wild: Start a three-game trip Tuesday in Montreal.
