TAMPA, Fla. _ Tuesday night's meeting between the NHL's two hottest teams turned out to be a mismatch, as the Lightning dismantled the Vancouver Canucks, 9-2, at Amalie Arena.
Both teams entered the night riding seven-game win streaks, marking just the second time in league history that teams holding active streaks that long met.
But the Lightning exploded for six goals in the second period _ including three within a 33-second span _ as they extended their best stretch of hockey this season.
The Lightning's nine goals tied their most this season. They beat the Rangers 9-3 on Nov. 14.
With the win, the Lightning (25-13-4, 54 points) moved into second place in the Atlantic Division. When their eight-game win streak began, Tampa Bay sat in sixth place in the division, three points out of a playoff position.
Their six goals in a period tied a franchise record set on Dec. 19, 1995, against Winnipeg. The Lightning became the third team this season to score six goals in a period.
Each of the Lightning's past six wins were by two goals or fewer _ and Tuesday's game figured to be another close one given the momentum the two clubs were riding _ but Tampa Bay took control of the game quickly with a second-period flurry that left the Canucks overwhelmed and starting goaltender Jacob Markstrom pulled from the game.
Fourth-liner Carter Verhaeghe recorded his first career hat trick, giving the Lightning a 4-2 lead with a one-timer from the right circle, the first of three quick goals within 33 seconds of each other that gave the Lightning a 6-2 lead heading into the second intermission.
Braden Point scored his team-high 18th goal and had three assists, extending his season-high point streak to six games.
