Nikita Kucherov’s 4 assists power Lightning over slumping Maple Leafs 5-2

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Tampa Bay Lightning Jake Guentzel (59) celebrates a goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs during first period NHL action in Toronto, on Saturday, March 7, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Maple Leafs Matthew Knies (23) and Tampa Bay Lightning Ryan McDonagh (27) battle for the puck during first period NHL action in Toronto, on Saturday, March 7, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP) — Tampa Bay Lightning Jake Guentzel (59) celebrates a goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs during first period NHL action in Toronto, on Saturday, March 7, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

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10:00 PM on Saturday, March 7

The Associated Press

TORONTO (AP) — Nikita Kucherov had three assists in a four-goal first period and added another in the third to give him 100 points on the season as the Tampa Bay Lightning cruised past the listless Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2 on Saturday night.

Jake Guentzel and Brandon Hagel, with a goal and an assist each, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Ryan McDonagh and the newly reacquired Corey Perry scored for Tampa Bay, which snapped a four-game slide.

Andrei Vasilevskiy made 27 saves. Brayden Point and Anthony Cirelli added two assists.

Matias Maccelli and Nick Robertson scored for Toronto. Anthony Stolarz stopped 28 shots.

The Maple Leafs, who started the night eight points back of the final Eastern Conference playoff spot and were booed off the ice, have dropped seven straight since returning from the NHL’s Olympic break.

Tampa Bay tops the East and the Atlantic Division with 82 points, which put them 17 clear of Saturday’s opponent.

Toronto captain Auston Matthews, who hit the post in the third period on a shot that glanced off Vasilevskiy, has now gone 11 games without scoring, and has just one goal in his last 15 games.

Perry was reacquired from L.A. and arrived in Toronto at 4 a.m. Saturday. The 40-year-old played two seasons with the Lightning from 2021 through 2023, including a trip to the Stanley Cup final in 2022.

Up next

Lightning: End a four-game road trip in Buffalo on Sunday.

Maple Leafs: Visit Montreal on Tuesday.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl