The Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 4-1 Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, as Ilya Mikheyev scored twice in his first game against his former team. Mikheyev’s first goal became the game-winner, and the victory improved Tampa Bay to 10-3-2. The Lightning also extended their franchise-record best start on home ice to 8-0-0.
Victor Hedman opened the scoring with a power-play goal 4:12 into the game. Hedman moved the puck through the neutral zone, connected with Anthony Cirelli at the blue line and finished the return pass with a one-timer through Chicago goalie Arvid Soderblom. Tampa Bay’s power play has scored in seven of its last eight games.
After spending the previous two seasons with Chicago, Mikheyev doubled Tampa Bay’s lead with 90 seconds left in the first period. Erik Cernak sent him a drop pass at the left point, and Mikheyev moved to the circle before firing between Soderblom’s legpads. The goal gave the Lightning a 2-0 lead and stood as the game-winner.
Ryan McDonagh extended Tampa Bay’s advantage 2:38 into the third period with a slap shot from the top of the left faceoff circle. Cernak and Mikheyev then combined for the Lightning’s fourth goal, with Cernak driving down the right side before feeding Mikheyev for a tap-in at the left post. Chicago’s only goal came on a deflection in the final minute.
Mikheyev recorded his first multi-goal game as a member of the Lightning and his first multi-point performance since Oct. 5. He and Cernak co-led Tampa Bay offensively, while Thursday marked Cernak’s 11th career multi-point game. Mikheyev, who was named the game’s first star, also received praise from coach Jon Cooper after scoring against his former team.
“How about that? He gets to play against his old team and scores two. That’s pretty cool. Good for him,” Cooper said.
Vasilevskiy reaches 600 starts in strong performance
Andrei Vasilevskiy made 24 saves in his 600th career start. His .962 save percentage was his best of the season, and the late deflection was the only puck to beat him. Vasilevskiy was named the game’s third star.
Vasilevskiy became the 49th goalie all time to reach 600 career starts and the third active goalie to do so. He is 8-3-1 this season, and his eight wins are tied for third among NHL goalies. The performance kept Tampa Bay in control for most of the night despite Chicago’s late push.
Brayden Point recorded an assist on McDonagh’s goal to extend his point streak to six games. Zemgus Girgensons added an assist in his return after missing three games because of a lower-body injury. Tampa Bay’s defensive effort limited the Blackhawks to one late goal.
What comes next for Tampa Bay
The Lightning begin a weekend back-to-back against the Minnesota Wild at 8 p.m. ET Saturday. Minnesota is listed at 11-3-3. Tampa Bay will start the road portion of the back-to-back after opening the season with eight consecutive home wins.
FSB Take
Mikheyev’s two-goal performance gave Tampa Bay a decisive contribution from a player facing his former team for the first time. The Lightning also received production from Cernak, Hedman, McDonagh and Point while Vasilevskiy delivered a 24-save performance in a milestone start. That combination leaves Tampa Bay with an 8-0-0 home start and a clear test against Minnesota in the next game.
Source: Original report