Kucherov ensures winning start for Lightning
>> TAMPA: Reigning NHL scoring leader Nikita Kucherov tallied a goal and an assist, and goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy recorded 35 saves to lead the Tampa Bay Lightning to a season-opening 5-2 win over the Florida Panthers on Thursday.
Winners of last year’s Presidents’ Trophy in a 62-16-4 season, Tampa Bay never trailed and pulled away by scoring three times in the third period for their eighth straight win in a home opener.
Kevin Shattenkirk, Ondrej Palat, Pat Maroon and Erik Cernak notched goals. Mikhail Sergachev contributed three assists while Alex Killorn added two for the Lightning.
Vincent Trocheck scored and had an assist, and Mike Hoffman also netted a marker for the Panthers, who lost in the debut of new coach Joel Quenneville.
At Dallas, Brett Ritchie and Danton Heinen scored in the first six minutes as Boston held off Dallas for a 2-1 win in both teams’ season opener.
Tuukka Rask had 28 saves as the Bruins began with a victory after losing in Game Seven of last season’s Stanley Cup Final. Boston won the first of four road games to kick off the campaign.
Roope Hintz scored the lone goal for the Stars. Ben Bishop stopped 18 shots.
Dallas lost three players to injury in the contest, none more serious than when 14-year veteran defenceman Roman Polak was stretchered off the ice following a headfirst collision into the boards in the second period.
At Anaheim, defenceman Cam Fowler scored the go-ahead goal late in the second period as the Ducks beat the Coyotes 2-1 to present head coach Dallas Eakins with a win in his debut.
Fourth-liner Derek Grant also scored and John Gibson finished with 32 saves for the Ducks, who have won each of their last three season openers. REUTERS