Lightning Prepare for Rangers Rematch, Hagel's Hat Trick & Kucherov Chasing Stamkos | Daily Strike - October 12, 2026

The Tampa Bay Lightning are back on the practice ice in New York as they prepare for a rematch with the New York Rangers on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden. On today's Daily Strike, Steve Versnick looks ahead to the second meeting between the teams in less than two weeks as the Lightning attempt to extend their four-game winning streak.

The Bolts enter the matchup riding the momentum of Saturday's 5-3 victory over the New York Islanders, highlighted by a hat trick from Brandon Hagel. After seeing a two-goal lead disappear, Tampa Bay responded when it mattered most, with Hagel netting the game-winner late in regulation. Hear from Hagel and Jake Guentzel on the team's resilience and ability to find ways to win.

We also take a look at several milestone watches entering Tuesday's game. Nikita Kucherov has opened the season with points in all five games and now sits just six points shy of passing Steven Stamkos as the franchise's all-time leading scorer. Meanwhile, Victor Hedman climbed to third all-time among defensemen born outside North America with 812 career points, and Ryan McDonagh is only two blocked shots away from fourth place in NHL history.

In Today's Episode:

• Preview of Tuesday night's rematch with the New York Rangers
• The Lightning's four-game winning streak after an 0-1 start
• Brandon Hagel's hat trick and game-winning goal against the Islanders
• Jake Guentzel on the team's response after surrendering the lead
• Nikita Kucherov's five-game point streak and pursuit of Steven Stamkos' franchise scoring record
• Victor Hedman moves past Sergei Gonchar for third-most points by a defenseman born outside North America
• Max Crozier's first points of the season and second career multi-point game
• Ryan McDonagh closes in on fourth place all-time in blocked shots
• The Lightning's 18 hat tricks since 2022-23 rank among the NHL's best
• This Day in Lightning History: Raising the franchise's third Stanley Cup banner before the 2021-22 season opener
• Happy Birthday to former Lightning goaltender Dwayne Roloson

The Lightning will look to avenge their season-opening loss to the Rangers and push their winning streak to five games when the teams meet Tuesday night at MSG. Subscribe to Daily Strike for daily Tampa Bay Lightning news, game previews, recaps, player interviews, milestone trackers, and everything happening around the Bolts.

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