NHL: Lightning coach Cooper becomes third-fastest to 500 wins
In a 3-2 victory over the struggling Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday, Nick Perbix’s goal 2:02 into overtime made Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper the third-fastest person to 500 victories.
Only two coaches were able to surpass Cooper’s 839 games to reach the milestone: Scotty Bowman (825) and Bruce Boudreau (837). Cooper is the 29th person to reach 500 total and the fastest with just one franchise.
The Lightning, who have alternated victories and defeats in their last six games, also received goals from Tyler Motte and Brandon Hagel.
With his overtime goal, Perbix broke a 40-game goal drought and finished Tampa Bay’s comeback from a 2-0 hole in the third quarter.
With goals from Matt Roy and Phillip Danault, the Kings dropped their sixth consecutive (0-3-3).
Tkachuk powers the Panthers on a roll with a hat trick.
The Florida Panthers defeated the St. Louis Blues 5-1 in the third period thanks to three goals in a row from Matthew Tkachuk and 28 saves from Anthony Stolarz. This was the team’s eighth straight victory.
Tkachuk scored once more at 5:57 to complete his fifth career hat trick, bringing Florida’s lead to 3-1 2:18 into the third period.
For the Panthers, who have won eight straight games and outscored opponents 36-15, Sam Reinhart scored his team-high 29th goal.
Oilers win eight in a row against the Blackhawks.
With Connor McDavid breaking a tie in the second period and Stuart Skinner turning away twenty-five shots, the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 2-1 to win their eighth straight game.
With the additional goal from Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton achieved its second eight-game winning run under head coach Kris Knoblauch. In their past 19 games, the Oilers have a 16-3-0 record.
For the Blackhawks, who have lost five straight games against the Oilers and six of their last seven overall, Jason Dickinson scored.
