Nikita Kucherov, Anthony Cirelli lead Tampa Bay Lightning past Vancouver Canucks 6-2

Vancouver Canucks goalie Kevin Lankinen (32) allows a goal to Tampa Bay Lightning's Nikita Kucherov, not seen, as Brandon Hagel (38) and Vancouver's Filip Hronek (17) stand in front of him during the second period of an NHL hockey game, in Vancouver, on Thursday, March 19, 2026. (Darryl Dyck / The Canadian Press)

VANCOUVER — Nikita Kucherov and Anthony Cirelli each had a goal and two assists as the Tampa Bay Lightning routed the Vancouver Canucks 6-2 on Thursday at Rogers Arena.

Jake Guentzel, Darren Raddysh, Yanni Gourde and Brandon Hagel also scored for the Lightning (42-21-4).

Andrei Vasilevskiy, who picked up his league-leading 32nd win of the year, made 19 saves for Tampa Bay.

Liam Ohgren and Linus Karlsson replied for Vancouver (21-39-8).

Kevin Lankinen made 24 saves for the last-place Canucks.

The Lightning were 0-for-1 on the power play, while the Canucks went 0-for-2.

Guentzel opened the scoring late in the first period to become the third Lightning player to reach 30 goals this season, after Kucherov and Hagel.

After establishing position at the net front, Guentzel tipped a shot from the top of the zone by Charle-Edouard D’Astous over the glove of a screened Lankinen.

Less than a minute into the second, Raddysh made it 2-0 with a big one-timer. Gourde then added his ninth of the year, tipping in another Raddysh shot from the side of the net at 4:16. Kucherov then deflected the puck off the leg of Canucks defenceman and into the net for his 38th of the year at 5:31.

Ohgren spoiled Vasilevskiy’s shutout bid with 7:54 remaining in the second, putting a low shot past the Tampa goalie for his seventh goal of the year.

In the third, Karlsson batted the puck over an outstretched Valisevskiy for his 13th of the year. Twenty-two seconds later, Cirelli restored the Lightning’s three-goal edge, then Hagel rounded out the scoring with his 32nd, with 9:25 remaining.

TAKEAWAYS

Canucks: Vancouver allowed six goals or more for the ninth time this season. With assists on both Canucks goals, Rossi extended his point streak to four games (nine points). Aatu Raty played in his 100th career NHL game.

Lightning: Won 6-2 for the second-straight game on their current road trip. Raddysh’s 18 goals are the third-most ever in a single season by a Lightning defenceman. Tampa Bay is a perfect 8-for-8 on the penalty kill over the last four games.

KEY MOMENT

Raddysh, Gourde and Kucherov scored their goals in the span of four minutes 42 seconds, with the latter two coming on consecutive shots.

KEY STAT

Kucherov’s three-point night moved him into sole possession of second place in the NHL scoring race. With 114 points, he’s one point behind league leader Connor McDavid (115).

UP NEXT

Lightning: Visit the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday.

Canucks: Host the St. Louis Blues on Saturday.


This report by Carol Schram of The Canadian Press was first published March 19, 2026.