STAMKOS, VASILEVSKIY HELP LIGHTNING HEAD INTO HOLIDAY BREAK WITH NHL LEAD
Steven Stamkos scored the game winner and Andrei Vasilevskiy made 38 saves as the Lightning(20-6-4, 44 points) erased a two-goal deficit and overtook the idle Hurricanes (21-7-1, 43 points) for first place in the NHL standings. Tampa Bay overcame a multi-goal deficit to win for the third time this season and are one of three teams to do so at least three times in 2021-22 – also Vegas (4) and Florida (3).

* Stamkos scored his 65th career game-winning goal and surpassed Martin St. Louis (64) for the most in Lightning history. Since he entered the NHL in 2008-09, only four players have recorded more: Alex Ovechkin (94), Jeff Carter (72), Phil Kessel (67) and Patrick Marleau (66).

* Vasilevskiy extended his win streak to seven games, one shy of the longest run by a goaltender this season behind only Frederik Andersen (8 GP).



PACIORETTY CONTINUES STRONG START TO 2021-22
Max Pacioretty (0-1—1), who skated in his 200th career game in a Golden Knights uniform, assisted on Mark Stone’s power-play goal to improve his 2021-22 totals to 12-9—21. It marked Pacioretty’s 46th power-play point with Vegas, which trails only Shea Theodore (56) and Jonathan Marchessault (54) on the franchise’s all-time list.

NHL PODCAST ROUNDUP:

* Fantasy on Ice (Dec. 20): James Harding joins to talk best fantasy pickups
* The Chirp (Dec. 21): Guest David Quinn talks life after Rangers, coaching future

QUICK CLICKS

* #NHLStats: Live Updates

* All-Star Fan Vote Leaders: NHL.com/vote
* Red Wings prospect Sebastian Cossa aiming to be Canada's No. 1 goalie in WJC

* Dylan Larkin buys fan's beer after accidentally spilling it during warmups

Thanks to the NHL PR department for the information above.