By Steven Luker
Lightning 5 – Golden Knights 4
Vegas scored two goals in first period
The Golden Knights started things off in the first period scoring two goals in this period and making it two for nothing Golden Knights at the end of the first period. The first goal happened near 12 minutes into the first period. This goal was scored by Jonathan Marchessault who recorded his 16th goal of the season and first of two in the game. Grabbing the assists were Paul Cotter who recorded his eighth assist of the season and also grabbing an assist was Brayden McNabb who recorded his 12th assist of the season and his first of two goals in the game. The time of the goal was eleven minutes and 40 seconds.
Within five minutes and 18 seconds later the Vegas Golden Knights scored again in the period. The goal was scored by Ivan Barbashev who is recording his ninth goal of the season. The assists are by Mark Stone who recorded his 24th of the season. Also grabbing an assist was Jack Eichel who recorded his 23rd assist of the season. The time of the goal is 16 minutes and 58 seconds.
![Golden Knights](https://www.bleacherbrothers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-21-at-9.47.46 PM-1024x695.png?x45298)
Lightning Scoring four goals in second period
The Tampa Bay Lightning scored a total of four goals off the Golden Knights and made it look like the defense collapsed for the Golden Knights. The first goal was at eight minutes and 25 seconds and scored by Alex Barré-Boulet who recorded his sixth goal of the season he got two players that gained an assist from this goal. Victor Hedman recorded his 25th assist of the season and first of three assists in the game.
The tying goal by the Lightning happened at 15 minutes and 55 seconds and was scored by Nikita Kucherov who recorded his 23rd goal of the season. Steven Stamkos gained an assist as well in this game and he recorded his 20th assist of the season. Victor Hedman picked up his second assist in the game and his 26th of the season.
he Lightning was not done scoring after they tied the game they score another goal at the 16 minutes and 28 seconds this goal was scored by Brayden Point who recorded his 15th goal of the season and was assisted by Nicholas Paul who recorded his seventh assist of the game and first of two assists in the game also picking up assist form this goal is Nikita Kucherov who recorded his 33rd assist of the season and first of two in the game.
The last goal in the period for the Lightning put them with a lead of two goals at the end of the period. The time of the goal was at 18 minutes and 50 seconds and was scored by Brayden Point who recorded his second goal of the game and was assisted by Nicholas Paul who recorded his eighth assist of the game and second of two assists in the game also picking up assist form this goal is Nikita Kucherov who recorded his 34th assist of the season and second of two in the game.
![Golden Knights](https://www.bleacherbrothers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-22-at-1.21.36 AM-1024x587.png?x45298)
Vegas came back to tie but Lightning add one more towards the end
The Vegas Golden Knights did have the game scored for almost all the third period but a late goal by the Lightning to seal the deal of the game made it the Lightning winning the game.
The first goal of the third period was scored by the Golden Knights by Jonathan Marchessault who recorded his second goal of the game and his goal was assisted by William Karlsson who recorded his 16th assist of the season. Also getting an assist is Jack Eichel who recorded his second assist in the game and his 24th in the season.
The Vegas Golden Knights tied the game and were trying to force overtime. The goal for the Golden Knights was scored by Paul Cotter who is recording his fifth goal of the season. His goal was assisted by Brayden McNabb who recorded his 13th assist of the season and second assist in the game. Ben Hutton who recorded his seventh assist of the season. The time of the goal was nine minutes and 44 seconds.
The Lightning had sealed the deal with a really late goal towards the end of the period. This goal was scored by Nicholas Paul who recorded his eleventh goal of the season and was assisted by Victor Hedman who recorded his 27th assist of the season and his third assist of the game. The other assist was Brayden Point who recorded his 22nd assist of the season. The time of the goal was 18 minutes and 47 seconds.
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