Kucherov Scores a Third-Period Hat Trick in Lightning's 8-3 Win, and Bouchard Wins It in Overtime for Oilers
Tampa Bay pulled away in the third period in Buffalo, Edmonton stayed hot at 14-3-3, and Pittsburgh needed a shootout in San Jose on a six-game Wednesday card.
Thursday, November 12, 2026/2 min read
Six NHL games on Wednesday night produced one rout, one overtime winner and one shootout. The loudest result came in Buffalo, where Nikita Kucherov scored all three of his goals in the third period of the Tampa Bay Lightning's 8-3 win over the Sabres, the Associated Press reported in a recap carried by ESPN.
The other scores, per ESPN's scoreboard: Rangers 3, Flames 1; Golden Knights 5, Mammoth 3; Predators 4, Ducks 2. Mika Zibanejad scored twice for New York in Calgary, and in Las Vegas Ivan Barbashev scored twice and Mitch Marner had three assists for the Golden Knights, who improved to 13-5-2.
How did Kucherov score a hat trick against Buffalo?
Buffalo had pulled within 4-3 when Tage Thompson scored 33 seconds into the third period, the third straight Buffalo goal. Then Tampa Bay took over. Kucherov scored a natural hat trick, with his first two goals inside 2 minutes 46 seconds, and added an assist; it was his eighth NHL hat trick. Brandon Hagel scored twice, John Carlson had a goal and four assists, and Jake Guentzel had four assists. Andrei Vasilevskiy made 28 saves.
The Lightning are 12-4-2 and second in the Atlantic with 26 points, one behind Boston. Buffalo is 8-7-3, with three losses in its last four. Both teams play again on Thursday night, Tampa Bay at Columbus and Buffalo at Chicago.
Who won the Oilers-Flyers game in overtime?
Evan Bouchard, on a one-timer from the left side 47 seconds into overtime, to give Edmonton a 3-2 win, according to ESPN. Zach Hyman scored twice, and Tristan Jarry made 30 saves. Bouchard leads NHL defensemen with 11 goals.
Connor McDavid assisted in the second period to stretch his points streak from the start of the season to 20 games, which ties his career high. The Oilers are 14-3-3, their second-best start through 20 games in franchise history, and have won three straight. Philadelphia is 5-10-6. Both play at Columbus and Toronto respectively on Saturday.
How did the Penguins beat the Sharks in a shootout?
Pittsburgh led 2-0 in the third period and could not hold it. Macklin Celebrini scored for San Jose with 8:28 left and then set up Mason Marchment's tying goal with 4:11 to play, ESPN reported. Ben Kindel, who had scored on a power play earlier in the third, converted the only shootout goal, and Sergei Murashov, who made 34 saves, stopped Will Smith in the third round to end it. Pittsburgh then held on after Kris Letang was penalized for holding in the final 43 seconds of overtime.
The Penguins are 7-10-2 and the Sharks 8-11-2. Both teams are in action again on Saturday: Pittsburgh hosts Ottawa and San Jose visits Utah.
Thursday night is a quick turnaround for the Lightning and Sabres, and the Oilers, Flyers, Penguins and Sharks all return on Saturday.
Published in The Outspoken Digest
Newsletter
The Digest, in your inbox
One edition, sent when it is ready. No noise, and your address is never passed on.
Read Next
More Sports →
Commanders at Giants on Thursday Night Football: McCarthy Starts With Dart Out, and a Tie to Settle
Nov 12, 2026/2 min read
Harden Scores 32 as Cavaliers Beat Knicks 115-107, Nets Hit 145 and Spurs Win a 10th Straight
Nov 12, 2026/2 min read
Knicks Rout Bucks 117-85, and Giannis Scores 30 on a Sprained Wrist as Heat Beat Jazz
Nov 11, 2026/2 min read
Bills Beat Vikings 23-6 on Monday Night Football as Wentz Is Picked Off Twice and Buffalo Starts 7-1
Nov 10, 2026/2 min read