Lightning Keep Rolling: Raddysh, Kucherov Fuel 4-1 Win Over Jets as Tampa Tightens Grip on East
TAMPA - The Tampa Bay Lightning are playing like a team on a mission, and Thursday night was just the latest reminder of how dangerous they can be when everything clicks. Darren Raddysh turned in a standout performance with a goal and two assists, Nikita Kucherov shook off an early injury to make a big impact, and the Lightning cruised to a 4-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets.
With the win, Tampa Bay improved to 34-14-4 and continued their red-hot stretch, going 16-1-1 since December 18. That surge has vaulted them to the top of the Atlantic Division and the Eastern Conference standings with 72 points - second only to Colorado in the NHL.
This team isn’t just winning; they’re doing it with a confidence and structure that’s hard to ignore. Head coach Jon Cooper pointed to the group’s maturity and accountability as key ingredients in their turnaround.
“These guys are playing so well and responsibly,” Cooper said. “They know when to self-correct when they’re stepping out of line. That was a big part of what was missing earlier in the year.”
And when mistakes do happen? There’s still a safety net - and his name is Andrei Vasilevskiy.
“When a breakdown and the big play happens, the Big Cat is there to stop it,” Cooper added. “A huge momentum swing for us on the bench.”
Raddysh Sets the Tone Early
Tampa Bay wasted no time getting on the board. Midway through the first period, defenseman JJ Moser sparked a rush out of the Lightning zone and found Raddysh, who threaded a pass to center Dominic James. James did the rest, going one-on-one against Jets netminder Connor Hellebuyck and finishing the play to give the Lightning a 1-0 lead.
Raddysh stayed active all night, factoring into two more goals and showing exactly why he's become such a reliable presence on the back end. His poise with the puck and ability to jump into the play were on full display.
“We got away from what we want to do in the second period,” Raddysh admitted postgame. “But in the third, we played in their end and shut them down a little bit.”
That second-period lull allowed Winnipeg to briefly claw back into the game with a goal at 12:25, cutting Tampa’s lead to 2-1. But the Lightning didn’t flinch.
Gourde, Kucherov Seal the Deal
Yanni Gourde responded just a few minutes later, sniping a shot under the stick of Jets defenseman Logan Stanley and past Hellebuyck to restore a two-goal cushion heading into the final frame.
Kucherov, who had left the game in the first period after taking a hit to the chest, returned in the second and made his presence felt. He assisted on Gourde’s goal and later sealed the win with an empty-netter at 18:52 in the third.
It was a classic Kucherov performance - battling through pain, showing vision and touch, and stepping up when it mattered most.
Special Teams, Depth Continue to Shine
Tampa Bay’s special teams have been a major part of their recent success. The power play is now converting at a 21.7% clip, good for 13th in the league, while the penalty kill has been elite - sitting third in the NHL at 84.4%.
“It’s been gratifying,” said Raddysh. “Guys are biting.
Everyone’s pulling their weight. They know what the job is.”
That collective buy-in has made the Lightning a tough out every night, and it’s not just the stars getting it done.
Veteran defenseman Ryan McDonough returned to the lineup after missing time with a lower-body injury. He logged 25 shifts and averaged just under 50 seconds per shift - a strong showing in his 19th game of the season.
“He was great cutting off passes and making breakout plays,” said Gourde. “He’s fun to watch, and we love to see him back in the lineup.”
Staying Grounded at the Top
Despite their place atop the East, the Lightning aren’t taking anything for granted. The Atlantic Division has been a dogfight all season, and Cooper knows the margin for error is razor-thin.
“I’ve told you the last two weeks, we need to do this just to compete in this division,” he said. “I don’t think I’ve seen any as tight as the Atlantic for so many teams competing for playoff spots.”
Gourde echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the importance of sticking to their identity.
“Structurally, we were really good,” he said. “Just knowing that we don’t have to force anything. We play our game, we pin the puck, and we try to grind a few shifts.”
And right now, that game is working. The Lightning look like a team that’s not just chasing wins - they’re chasing something bigger.