Nikita Kucherov nets a hat trick and 2 assists as the Lightning beat the Kraken 6-2

By Canadian Press on March 17, 2026.

SEATTLE (AP) — Nikita Kucherov scored three goals for his sixth career hat trick and added two assists as the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Seattle Kraken 6-2 on Tuesday night.

Brandon Hagel had a goal and three assists for the Lightning, who remained four points behind first-place Buffalo in the Atlantic Division. Anthony Cirelli added a goal and two assists, and Gage Goncalves had a goal and an assist.

Bobby McMann and Jared McCann scored for the Kraken, tied with the Los Angeles Kings at 71 points for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Andrew Destin, The Associated Press