Lightning 4, Senators 3 (SO)
Rookie Nikita Kucherov scored the only goal of the shootout in the first round as Tampa Bay beat Ottawa to snap a five-game winless streak at home.
Ondrej Palat, Tyler Johnson and B.J. Crombeen tallied in regulation while defenseman Victor Hedman matched his career high with three assists for the Lightning. Ben Bishop turned aside 33 shots before stopping all three of the Senators' attempts in the bonus format.
Clarke MacArthur and defenseman Erik Karlsson each collected a goal and an assist and Chris Neil tied the game late in regulation with his 100th career tally for the Senators. Captain Jason Spezza chipped in with two assists and Craig Anderson made 35 saves.
Johnson opened the scoring 14:32 into the contest with a short-handed tally, lifting a shot from the right side of the net during a partial breakaway. Karlsson forged a tie on the same power play 40 seconds later, knocking home a rebound after the puck caromed to the right faceoff circle.
Crombeen tipped in Hedman’s shot 3:30 into the second session before MacArthur evened the score at 16:57 during a power play as he was left alone in front. Palat redirected captain Martin St. Louis’ diagonal pass 5:31 into the third, but Neil chipped home the tying goal with 2:18 left.
GAME NOTEBOOK: St. Louis has collected eight goals and five assists during his nine-game point streak. … Ottawa LW Milan Michalek played his 600th career game and RW Erik Condra participated in his 200th. … Tampa Bay finished with a 47-30 edge in the faceoff circles, led by C Nate Thompson (15-6).