'NHL Recap: Nikita Kucherov's Three Goals Propel Lightning to Victory'

Nikita Kucherov notched a hat trick in the final nine minutes, leading the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 4-1 win against the Carolina Hurricanes in the season opener for both teams on Friday night in Raleigh, N.C.

Brayden Point scored the first goal for Tampa Bay, with Kucherov earning an assist on the play. Kucherov later added two empty-net goals, including the final one with just 16 seconds remaining.

The first two Lightning goals came on power plays.

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Andrei Vasilevskiy made 20 saves for Tampa Bay, who responded quickly when the Hurricanes pulled their goalie in the final minutes of the game.

Jets 2, Blackhawks 1 (OT)

Mark Scheifele scored just 38 seconds into overtime after tying the game in the closing moments, while Connor Hellebuyck stopped 25 shots to lead the Winnipeg Jets to a victory over the Chicago Blackhawks.

Scheifele's game-winning goal was also his 300th career goal, as he redirected a pass from Kyle Connor. Josh Morrissey also earned an assist on the play for the Jets.

Blackhawks goalie Arvid Soderblom was on the verge of earning his first career shutout, but Ryan Donato's late goal in the second period tied the game. Soderblom made 33 saves in the loss.

Flyers 3, Canucks 2 (SO)

Morgan Frost scored the deciding goal in the fifth round of a shootout to give the Philadelphia Flyers a win in their season opener against the Vancouver Canucks.

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Tyson Foerster and Cam York also scored for the Flyers in regulation, while goaltender Samuel Ersson made 24 saves and stopped three Canucks attempts in the shootout.

Nils Hoglander and Teddy Blueger scored for Vancouver, while Kevin Lankinen made 29 saves in regulation for the Canucks.

Golden Knights 4, Blues 3

The forward line of Jack Eichel, Ivan Barbashev, and Mark Stone combined for six points as the Vegas Golden Knights defeated the St. Louis Blues in Las Vegas.

Eichel and Barbashev each had a goal and an assist, while Stone earned two assists for the Golden Knights, who have won their first two games of the season.

Pavel Buchnevich scored two goals and added an assist for the Blues, who finished their season-opening road trip with a record of 2-1-0. Jordan Kyrou also had two assists, while Jordan Binnington made 24 saves in the loss.