Full Breakdown
Tampa Bay Lightning Extend Winning Streak with Shootout Victory Over Penguins
1/14/2026, 12:13:13 PM
Lightning Achieve Franchise-Record Tying Win Streak
On January 13, 2026, the Tampa Bay Lightning secured a 2-1 shootout victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins, marking their 11th consecutive win, which ties the franchise record set during the 2019-20 season. Nikita Kucherov scored the decisive goal in the shootout, while J.J. Moser netted the Lightning's only regulation goal. Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy made 26 saves, extending his personal winning streak to eight games.
The Lightning's victory came after a tightly contested match that remained scoreless through the first two periods. Moser broke the deadlock with a goal at 14:13 of the third period, capitalizing on a loose puck in front of the Penguins' net. However, Evgeni Malkin equalized for Pittsburgh with just 2:16 left in regulation, scoring his 10th goal of the season.
Key Performances and Statistics
In the shootout, Gage Goncalves also scored for Tampa Bay, while Pittsburgh's Egor Chinakhov managed to find the net. Vasilevskiy thwarted attempts from Rickard Rakell and Sidney Crosby, ensuring the Lightning's victory. The Lightning outshot the Penguins 31-27, with both teams struggling to generate offense throughout the game.
Kucherov's point streak ended at 10 games, during which he accumulated 25 points. Malkin's late goal marked his sixth game-tying goal in the final three minutes of regulation, surpassing several franchise legends for second-most in team history.
Official Statements & Responses
Lightning head coach Jon Cooper praised his team's resilience, stating, “There’s just tons of buy-in. Great group, leaders phenomenal. Check a lot of boxes of things you want in a team, and the guys are getting rewarded.” Penguins coach Dan Muse acknowledged the challenges posed by injuries, particularly the absence of All-Star defenseman Erik Karlsson, who was placed on injured reserve prior to the game.
Criticism & Opposition
Despite the loss, Penguins players expressed a sense of accomplishment in limiting the Lightning's scoring opportunities. Forward Bryan Rust remarked, “I thought we played really well. We got a lot of chances of our own. We just need to score on a few of those.” The Penguins have struggled offensively, scoring only two goals over their last three games, which has raised concerns about their scoring depth in Karlsson's absence.
What's Next
The Lightning will look to extend their winning streak to 12 games when they face the St. Louis Blues in their next matchup. Meanwhile, the Penguins will host the Philadelphia Flyers, aiming to break their current three-game losing streak.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It was two good teams going at it,” — Gage Goncalves, Lightning Forward
- “Injuries happen over the course of the year,” — Dan Muse, Penguins Coach
- “To kind of limit them five on five, especially to not allow a ton of good chances, I thought we played really well. We got a lot of chances of our own. We just need to score on a few of those.” — Bryan Rust, Penguins Forward
- “There’s just tons of buy-in. Great group, leaders phenomenal. Check a lot of boxes of things you want in a team, and the guys are getting rewarded. It’s a lot of fun.” — Jon Cooper, Lightning Head Coach
This victory not only solidifies the Lightning's position at the top of the Atlantic Division but also highlights their ability to perform under pressure, setting the stage for a competitive remainder of the season.
