Kucherov keeps rolling as Lightning gain ground on Panthers

After floating around .500 for the first few months of the season, the Tampa Bay Lightning have soared up the standings with a 13-6-1 record since Dec. 1, and forward Nikita Kucherov is a big reason for that.

The 22-year-old scored a pair Sunday as the Lightning beat the division-leading Florida Panthers 3-1. Kucherov now has 24 points in his last 19 games, trailing only Patrick Kane (30 points) over that period.

Take a bow, Nikita. You've earned it.( @scottaudette) pic.twitter.com/cks936eWPn

- Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) January 18, 2016

Goaltender Ben Bishop also continued his stellar play with a 26-save performance, five days after blanking the Colorado Avalanche on the road. He now has three consecutive wins with just three goals against over 180 minutes of work.

Andrej Sustr scored his second of the season for the Lightning while Brandon Pirri ended Bishop's bid for a second straight shutout with a goal midway through the third period.

The Lightning will look to extend their winning streak Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers before a pair of big matches later in the week. They'll host the Chicago Blackhawks in a Stanley Cup Finals rematch Thursday before visiting the Panthers at the BB&T Center on Saturday.

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