Vasilevskiy has 23 saves, Kucherov has a goal and assist as Lightning beat Penguins 3-1

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Andrei Vasilevskiy #88 of the Tampa Bay Lightning tends net against Reilly Smith #19 of the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at Amalie Arena on December 6, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/NHLI via Getty Images)

TAMPA, Fla. - Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 23 shots, NHL points leader Nikita Kucherov had a goal and an assist, and the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-1 on Wednesday night.

Anthony Cirelli and Tanner Jeannot also scored for the Lightning, who have won four in a row after a four-game skid. Kucherov extended his point streak to 11 games, and has 44. points in 26 games.

In his sixth game since recovering from back surgery that delayed his season debut, Vasilevskiy stopped two scoring chances by Sidney Crosby during the same shift in the second period, including one from the low left circle while the center was on his knees.

The goalie was coming off a 25-save, 4-0 win over the Dallas on Monday night, but lost his shutout bid when Jake Guentzel scored with 53 second left in the third.

Tristan Jarry had 25 saves for the Penguins, who have lost eight of 11 (3-5-3). Pittsburgh went 0 for 4 on the power play to fall to 0 for 33 over the last 12 games.

Cirelli opened the scoring when Tampa Bay’s NHL-best home power play converted its first chance at 5:56 of the first. Kucherov set a team record of 11 consecutive games with an assist on the goal.

Kucherov, on power play, and Jeannot scored in the second period.

Tampa Bay defenseman Victor Hedman had two assists on the power play as the Lightning went 2 for 4 with the man-advantage.

Penguins defenseman Kris Letang appeared to hurt his left shoulder and skated off gingerly after he went hard into the boards after attempting a check late in the first but returned before the period ended.