Match date: 8 November 2026.
Final score: Wild 3, Lightning 4.
N. Kucherov scored 3:23 into overtime as the Lightning completed a 4-3 comeback win over the Wild on 8 November, overturning a two-goal deficit and recovering from 3-1 down in the third period.
Game Story
The Wild made a blistering start. B. Coleman opened the scoring after 55 seconds, with O. Maatta and Q. Hughes assisting, before M. Shabanov made it 2-0 at 2:58 from J. Eriksson Ek and K. Kaprizov.
Tampa Bay had to wait until late in the second period for its first reply. J. Guentzel scored at 16:34, assisted by C. D'Astous and N. Kucherov, to cut the gap to one heading into the final period.
M. Shabanov restored Minnesota's two-goal advantage at 6:49 of the third, scoring his second of the night to put the Wild 3-1 ahead. The Lightning response was emphatic. Guentzel struck again at 13:44, with B. Point and C. D'Astous credited with the assists, and C. D'Astous then tied the game at 16:29 from J. Carlson and B. Point.
The match moved to overtime at 3-3. A Wild penalty at 2:30 gave Tampa Bay an immediate high-pressure sequence, and Kucherov settled it 53 seconds later. J. Guentzel and J. Carlson assisted on the overtime winner.
Turning Point
C. D'Astous' equaliser at 16:29 of the third period was the moment the Wild's control disappeared. Tampa Bay had reduced a 3-1 deficit through J. Guentzel, but D'Astous' goal completed the two-goal rally in less than three minutes and carried the game into overtime, where Kucherov finished the job.
Standout Performers
J. Guentzel drove the Lightning recovery with two goals and an assist, including the second-period goal that brought Tampa Bay back into the contest and the setup for Kucherov's winner. C. D'Astous also posted three points, scoring the tying goal and assisting on both Guentzel finishes. For Minnesota, M. Shabanov scored twice, giving the Wild their early 2-0 lead and later restoring a two-goal cushion in the third. D. Hildeby made 19 saves for Tampa Bay, while C. Pickard stopped 30 of 34 shots for the Wild.
Tactical Observations
The scoreline showed a sharp contrast in game state. Minnesota converted its early opportunities and built a 2-0 first-period lead despite being outshot 34-22 over the full game. Tampa Bay stayed within reach through Guentzel's late second-period goal, then produced three unanswered goals from 13:44 of the third period onwards. The Wild's third-period lead was substantial, but the Lightning gave themselves overtime by turning a 3-1 deficit into a tie before Kucherov scored after the overtime penalty.
Coach Mark Comment
An overtime penalty after a team has worked its way back from 3-1 is a particularly unforgiving moment. Minnesota had already watched a two-goal lead disappear, so the job at 2:30 of overtime became very small and very hard: get through the next stretch without allowing the comeback to become a loss. Kucherov's goal 53 seconds later meant that one short passage decided a game which had looked settled in the Wild's favour twice.
What It Means
The Lightning took the overtime win after trailing 2-0 and 3-1, with their leading contributors arriving when the score was tightest. The Wild earned a point from a game in which M. Shabanov's two goals had twice given them useful separation, but could not close out the final seven minutes of regulation or overtime.
What Comes Next
For Tampa Bay, the immediate question is whether the late-game connection between J. Guentzel, C. D'Astous and Kucherov can carry into the next tight contest. Minnesota will look at how a 3-1 third-period lead turned into overtime and seek a cleaner finish.