Brayden Point scores twice to tie for NHL lead as surging Lightning beat reeling Rangers

By ERIK ERLENDSSON

TAMPA — Brayden Point scored twice and added an assist to lead the Tampa Bay Lightning past the reeling New York Rangers 6-2 on Saturday night.

Nikita Kucherov added a goal and two assists for Tampa Bay. Anthony Cirelli and Ryan McDonagh each had a short-handed goal.

Nick Paul also scored for the Lightning, who have won six of seven. Andrei Vasilevskiy finished with 42 saves.

Artemi Panarin had a power-play goal and Vincent Trocheck scored short-handed for New York. Igor Shesterkin allowed five goals on 13 shots before being pulled at the 8:08 mark of the second period. Jonathan Quick allowed one goal on 12 shots.

After a strong start, the Rangers are 4-14 in their past 18 games.

Tampa Bay pulled away with three goals in the second, two by Point. He has 24 this season, tied with Edmonton star Leon Draisaitl for the NHL lead.