Lightning Celebrate Kids Day with a 4-2 Win Over Senators

No Kucherov? No problem! The Tampa Bay Lightning overcame a slow start and rallied with four unanswered goals to defeat the Ottawa Senators 4–2 on Kids Day, despite missing Nikita Kucherov due to illness.

Hockey players are used to travelling, adapting to time differences, and playing on special occasions. What’s not easy, even for experienced athletes, is facing opponents outside their typical game day schedule. The Lightning’s Saturday matchup against the Ottawa Senators started at 1:00 pm. It meant there wouldn’t be a morning skate or the usual lunch-and-nap routine. Players had to wake up and pretty much go to work. At least, they had all the support needed. The Bolts hosted KIDS DAY, allowing coaches and players to bring their children to work. 

Because of an early start, it was obvious that it would be a game of mistakes and irregularities. And it was. The Ottawa Senators had a great five-minute team walk from their hotel to the stadium, which helped them get their engines revving faster. Their 2-0 lead after the opening period was proof of that. The most painful part was the way those goals were scored. The Senators’ first shot turned into a goal, slipping into the net under Vasilevskiy’s pads. Apparently, that wake-up call wasn’t enough, and the second celly was scored into the empty net. Even though Andrei Vasilevskiy was battling, he was out of position and too slow to react in both situations. To be fair, his teammates managed the game poorly, leaving loose pucks and allowing the visitors to capitalize on the Lightning’s weaknesses. The Senators got two minor penalties, but the Bolts couldn’t produce. 

Whatever was said in the locker room during the first intermission clearly made a difference. The Lightning regrouped and seized the moment in the next two periods, scoring four unanswered goals. 

While the Senators’ provocative play was expected, what came as a surprise was that Nikita Kucherov, the league’s all-points leader (121 points), missed the game due to illness. As a result of Kucherov’s absence, Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid reclaimed sole leadership in points with 124, collecting three against the Anaheim Ducks. Still, the Bolts’ fans will likely have their attention elsewhere. The priority remains the team’s well-being and a smooth ride into the upcoming playoffs. 

The Tampa Bay Lightning have no time for a break and will face the Nashville Predators on Sunday.