Victor Hedman’s goal 2:07 into overtime lifts Lightning past Kraken 4-3

Victor Hedman's goal 2:07 into overtime lifts Lightning past Kraken 4-3 | iNFOnews.ca
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (77) scores past Seattle Kraken goaltender Philipp Grubauer (31) during overtime of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Captain Victor Hedman scored just over two minutes into overtime to give the Tampa Bay Lightning a 4-3 victory over the Seattle Kraken on Thursday night.

Hedman crossed the blue line, split the defense and drove straight to the net, tapping the puck through the legs of Seattle goalie Philipp Grubauer, who was trying to poke the puck away. Pontus Holmberg got an assist on the goal 2:07 into OT.

Brandon Hagel scored twice and Ilya Mikheyev added a goal for the Lightning, who improved to 4-0-0 at home. The last time Tampa Bay opened a season with four straight wins in 2020-21, when they opened 6-0.

Tampa Bay led 2-1 after two periods and was 3-0 when leading after 40 minutes entering Thursday’s game. Last season, the Lightning were 33-1 when leading after two periods.

Jared McCann, Matthew Beniers and Ryan Winterton scored for the Kraken. Beniers’ tip-in goal in the third tied the game with 4:19 left in regulation.

Victor Hedman's goal 2:07 into overtime lifts Lightning past Kraken 4-3 | iNFOnews.ca
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (77) celebrates his overrime goal against the Seattle Kraken during an NHL hockey game Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

Andrei Vasilevskiy made 24 saves in the win for the Lightning. Grubauer had 31 saves for the Kraken.

Up next

Kraken: At the Florida Panthers on Saturday.

Lightning: Host the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday.

Victor Hedman's goal 2:07 into overtime lifts Lightning past Kraken 4-3 | iNFOnews.ca
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman, second from right, celebrates with teammates after scoring the game-winning goal against the Seattle Kraken during overtime of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

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See AP’s full NHL coverage here

Victor Hedman's goal 2:07 into overtime lifts Lightning past Kraken 4-3 | iNFOnews.ca
Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) falls backwards after stopping a shot by Seattle Kraken center Berkly Catton (27) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
Victor Hedman's goal 2:07 into overtime lifts Lightning past Kraken 4-3 | iNFOnews.ca
Seattle Kraken center Matty Beniers (10) moves the puck against Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Brandon Hagel (38) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

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