Canucks Score Six Straight to Beat Lightning After Late Surge

The Vancouver Canucks produced one of their most exciting comebacks of the season as they defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 6-2 on Sunday. The Canucks, who were struggling earlier in the match, scored six unanswered goals to turn a 2-1 deficit into a big win. Their victory was powered by three quick goals in just 100 seconds during the third period, which completely changed the pace and energy of the game.

The Canucks were playing in Tampa, a place where they had not won since October 2018. For most of the match, the Lightning looked stronger and controlled the puck more often. They created more scoring chances, took more shots, and spent more time in Vancouver’s zone. However, everything changed early in the third period when Vancouver finally found its rhythm.

The Lightning started the scoring late in the first period. With only 35 seconds left before the break, Nikita Kucherov fired a powerful one-timer after receiving a clean pass from Darren Raddysh. His goal gave Tampa Bay a 1-0 lead and marked his 365th career goal. This tied him with Martin St. Louis for third place in Lightning franchise history. Tampa Bay looked confident and strong as they ended the period with a 13-1 shot advantage.

In the second period, Tampa Bay continued their pressure. At 4:35, Jake Guentzel scored, doubling the Lightning’s lead to 2-0. He scored his eighth goal of the season, matching Kucherov for the highest total on the team. At that point, it appeared the Canucks were losing control of the game.

But Vancouver refused to give up. At 9:26, Jake DeBrusk scored on a rebound during a power play. His goal cut Tampa Bay’s lead to 2-1. It was DeBrusk’s seventh goal of the season and his sixth on the power play. Even though the Canucks had more chances in the second period, they still ended the frame being outshot 19-7 and trailing on the scoreboard.

Everything changed in the third period. Vancouver finally broke through Tampa Bay’s defense. At 4:11, Kiefer Sherwood scored a power-play goal that tied the game 2-2. Just 43 seconds later, Linus Karlsson scored to give Vancouver the lead for the first time in the match. Tampa Bay seemed stunned as the Canucks continued to attack. Less than a minute later, at 5:51, Drew O’Connor scored again, making it 4-2. The three goals came in just one minute and 40 seconds, a span that completely silenced the Tampa Bay crowd.

Vancouver kept the pressure on. Captain Quinn Hughes, who had missed the previous game, returned and played a key role. He recorded four assists, tying a career high. One of his assists helped Mackenzie MacEachern score his first goal of the season. That goal extended Vancouver’s lead even further. Hughes now continues to be one of the team’s most important players.

Jake DeBrusk later scored into an empty net, securing the victory and earning his seventh goal of the season. Elias Pettersson and Filip Hronek also added two assists each. Vancouver’s goalie, Kevin Lankinen, made 28 saves and helped keep the team alive during the tough early periods when Tampa Bay was controlling the game.

Tampa Bay managed to get another puck into the net later in the third period, but the goal was overturned after Vancouver challenged it for a high-stick infraction. The challenge was successful, and the score remained 4-2, keeping Vancouver firmly ahead.

The final score was 6-2 in favor of the Canucks. This win ended their recent winless streak and gave them a huge confidence boost. Their ability to stay patient, fight back, and take control when it mattered most showed strong team character.

For the Lightning, it was a disappointing loss, especially after controlling the game early. Despite strong performances from Kucherov and Guentzel, they could not stop Vancouver’s explosive third-period surge.

Overall, the game proved to be an unforgettable comeback for the Canucks and a reminder of how quickly momentum can shift in hockey.