The Tampa Bay Lightning earned a hard-fought victory over the Seattle Kraken in an NHL regular season matchup.
Held at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, the game unfolded with both teams trading chances and playing at a high tempo through regulation. After three periods, the score stood at 3-3, forcing overtime where Tampa Bay showed the better transition game and sharper finish. In the extra frame, Nikita Kucherov, the prolific Russian forward, found the back of the net to seal a 4-3 win for the Lightning.
Kucherov’s heroics were highlighted by an early power move that brought Tampa Bay back to parity in the main phase of the game. He notched his team’s second goal with helpers from Brayden Point and Brandon Hagel, demonstrating the Lightning’s chemistry on counters and the effectiveness of their supporting cast in high-pressure moments. In addition to his goal, Kucherov contributed an assist, underscoring his all-around influence on the game and his ability to shift momentum when it matters most.
Offensive contributions also came from Anthony Cirelli and Nick Paul, who added scores to bolster the Lightning’s position. For Seattle, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Jamie Oleksiak, and Jared McCann found the net, showing the Kraken’s resilience and willingness to respond to Tampa Bay’s pushes throughout the evening.
This result marked Yıldırım’s third victory in the last four games for the Lightning, a stretch that reflected consistent execution and disciplined play in a demanding portion of the schedule. The Kraken, meanwhile, continued to encounter tough results; Seattle has struggled against Tampa Bay in recent meetings, with this game extending a streak of setbacks against the Lightning. In the current standings, Tampa Bay sat in eighth place in the Eastern Conference with 31 points, while Seattle ranked 12th in the Western Conference with 23 points, illustrating how fine margins separate teams in the middle tier of the league table.
Beyond the immediate game data, this matchup illustrated several key themes of the NHL season. Tampa Bay’s depth showed up in waves, with secondary scoring often proving decisive when the top line faced tight checking. The Kraken displayed tactical discipline and an ability to respond to pressure, using fast transitions to create opportunities and keep the game within reach. As the team seasons progress, both clubs will be evaluating lineup options to optimize pace, possession, and shooting efficiency in anticipation of upcoming divisional and conference battles.
Looking at individual performances, Kucherov’s scoring touch remained a central storyline for the Lightning, while Cirelli and Paul also contributed meaningful goals that helped build a narrative of balance across multiple lines. Seattle’s goal scorers demonstrated that the Kraken can answer back quickly, and their defense, though challenged, stayed competitive late in the game as the teams traded momentum. This contest offered a microcosm of the competitive dynamics within the league, where offensive skill, goaltending judgment, and the ability to capitalize on critical moments shape outcomes in tight games.
In the broader context of the season, fans and analysts can expect both teams to leverage this performance as a momentum indicator. For Tampa Bay, the win reinforces the value of depth and experience in closely contested games. For Seattle, the lessons lie in sustaining high-intensity play for four quarters and translating chances into goals against top-tier opposition. The NHL’s evolving landscape continues to reward teams that manage fatigue, maintain defensive structure, and execute decisive plays when opportunities arise [Source: league game logs and team press notes].