Brandon Hagel netted a short-handed goal, his third tally against Seattle this season, and had an assist to help the Tampa Bay Lightning post their season-high fifth straight win, topping the visiting Kraken 4-1 on Sunday night.
Nikita Kucherov and Luke Glendening scored 1:43 apart in the third period. Nick Paul potted an empty-netter as the Lightning improved to 19-7-2 on home ice and 7-0-1 all-time against the Kraken.
In his 26th win, Vasilevskiy made 36 saves and had his bid for career shutout No. 38 spoiled by Shane Wright at 15:24 of the third.
After a two-month absence, the Lightning’s J.J. Moser returned following a lower-body injury.
Tampa Bay’s performance spoiled the NHL debut of 28-year-old Seattle goalie Ales Stezka.
A 2015 fourth-round pick of the Minnesota Wild, the Czech Republic native stopped 19 of 22 shots as Seattle fell to 0-9-0 in the second game of a back-to-back set.
In its first game since the 4 Nations Face-Off break, Tampa Bay showed some rust early as errant passes and a few breakdowns led to the Pacific Division visitors controlling the first 10 minutes in a scoreless first period.
After topping the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers 2-1 the night before, the Kraken owned the territorial advantage early and held an 11-7 shot advantage.
Nearly seven minutes into the second, Tampa Bay’s Brayden Point had the best chance but rang a shot off the near post after deking Stezka following a crisp feed from Victor Hedman.
Immediately after that chance, Vasilevskiy denied Matty Beniers and Brandon Tanev from point-blank range in what amounted to the Kraken’s best opportunity.
On the match’s first power play, Seattle gave up a mini breakaway to Hagel, who fought off forward Oliver Bjorkstrand and swept a backhander past Stezka for his third short-handed goal and the Lightning’s 10th so far.
During the period, Seattle continued its advantage throughout in shots, 29-17 overall, but Vasilevskiy was stout in making all the saves.
Following third-period goals by Kucherov and Glendening, Wright tipped in a shot by Brandon Montour before Paul sealed the victory.
