National Hockey League
Tampa Bay 4, Seattle 1
When: 6:00 PM ET, Sunday, February 23, 2025
Where: Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida
Referees: Mitch Dunning, T.J. Luxmore
Linesmen: Brad Kovachik, Libor Suchanek
Attendance: 19092

Brandon Hagel netted a short-handed goal, his third tally against Seattle this season, and had an assist to help the Tampa Bay Lightning post their season-high fifth straight win, topping the visiting Kraken 4-1 on Sunday night.

Nikita Kucherov and Luke Glendening scored 1:43 apart in the third period. Nick Paul potted an empty-netter as the Lightning improved to 19-7-2 on home ice and 7-0-1 all-time against the Kraken.

In his 26th win, Vasilevskiy made 36 saves and had his bid for career shutout No. 38 spoiled by Shane Wright at 15:24 of the third.

After a two-month absence, the Lightning's J.J. Moser returned following a lower-body injury.

Tampa Bay's performance spoiled the NHL debut of 28-year-old Seattle goalie Ales Stezka.

A 2015 fourth-round pick of the Minnesota Wild, the Czech Republic native stopped 19 of 22 shots as Seattle fell to 0-9-0 in the second game of a back-to-back set.

In its first game since the 4 Nations Face-Off break, Tampa Bay showed some rust early as errant passes and a few breakdowns led to the Pacific Division visitors controlling the first 10 minutes in a scoreless first period.

After topping the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers 2-1 the night before, the Kraken owned the territorial advantage early and held an 11-7 shot advantage.

Nearly seven minutes into the second, Tampa Bay's Brayden Point had the best chance but rang a shot off the near post after deking Stezka following a crisp feed from Victor Hedman.

Immediately after that chance, Vasilevskiy denied Matty Beniers and Brandon Tanev from point-blank range in what amounted to the Kraken's best opportunity.

On the match's first power play, Seattle gave up a mini breakaway to Hagel, who fought off forward Oliver Bjorkstrand and swept a backhander past Stezka for his third short-handed goal and the Lightning's 10th so far.

During the period, Seattle continued its advantage throughout in shots, 29-17 overall, but Vasilevskiy was stout in making all the saves.

Following third-period goals by Kucherov and Glendening, Wright tipped in a shot by Brandon Montour before Paul sealed the victory.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Seattle   Tampa Bay
Shane Wright 1 Points Brandon Hagel 2
Shane Wright 1 Goals Brandon Hagel 1
Joshua Mahura 1 Assists Brandon Hagel 1
N/A Power Play Goals N/A
N/A Short Handed Goals Brandon Hagel 1
Ales Stezka .870 Save Percentage Andrei Vasilevskiy .973
Ales Stezka 20 Saves Andrei Vasilevskiy 36
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Seattle 37 1 0-1 0-0 0 23
Tampa Bay 24 4 0-0 1-1 2 30
Upcoming Games
  • Tampa Bay will play their next game at home against Edmonton. The Lightning have a W/L % of .548 after a win and .600 after a loss.
  • Seattle will play their next game on the road against St. Louis. The Kraken have a W/L % of .346 after a win and .485 after a loss.