NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Zemgus Girgensons scored two goals to lead the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 5-2 victory over the Nashville Predators on Tuesday night.
Brandon Hagel, Nikita Kucherov and Charl-Edouard D’Astous also scored for the Lightning, and Andrei Vasilevskiy made 18 saves. After winning just one of their first seven games of the season, the Lightning have won three straight.
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Tampa Bay Lightning center Dominic James (17) warms up before an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Tampa Bay Lightning center Brayden Point (21) moves the puck past Nashville Predators defenseman Nick Perbix (48) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) defends the goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (71) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Tampa Bay Lightning center Zemgus Girgensons (28) celebrates his goal with teammates during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Brandon Hagel (38) passes the puck around Nashville Predators defenseman Brady Skjei (76) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Anthony Cirelli and Pontus Holmberg each had two assists for the Lightning.
Luke Evangelista scored a goal and added an assist and Filip Forsberg also scored, and Juuse Saros made 25 saves for Nashville, losers of two in a row.
Girgensons scored the game’s first goal at 10:31 of the opening period. He missed the first seven games of the season with an upper-body injury. He later added his second late in the third.
Hagel doubled the Tampa Bay lead at 15:37 of the second.
Just eight seconds after a Lightning power play expired, Hagel was corralled a loose puck after a scramble in front of the Nashville net and slipped it past Saros.
Cirelli assisted on Hagel's goal, for his 300th career NHL point.
Hagel has two goals and four assists in his last three games.
Evangelista scored a power-play goal at 5:05 of the third.
After missing all of training camp, Evangelista signed a two-year, $6 million contract on Oct. 4.
D’Astous, playing in his third career game, scored his first NHL goal at 7:58 of the third.
Forsberg cut the Lightning lead to one at 17:54 of the third with Saros pulled for an extra attacker, but Kucherov's empty-net goal restored Tampa Bay's two-goal lead.
Nashville killed all four Lightning power plays in the game. They have allowed just one opponent power-play goal at home in 27 times short-handed this season.
Lightning host Dallas on Thursday night.
Predators visit Philadelphia on Thursday night.
Tampa Bay Lightning center Dominic James (17) warms up before an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Tampa Bay Lightning center Brayden Point (21) moves the puck past Nashville Predators defenseman Nick Perbix (48) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) defends the goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (71) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Tampa Bay Lightning center Zemgus Girgensons (28) celebrates his goal with teammates during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Brandon Hagel (38) passes the puck around Nashville Predators defenseman Brady Skjei (76) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
SEATTLE (AP) — Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua’s tumultuous Thursday started with an apology, and ended with more controversial remarks.
In between, he had a career-best performance.
Nacua apologized Thursday for performing a gesture that plays upon antisemitic tropes on an internet livestream, then stayed in the spotlight Tuesday night as he caught 12 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns in the Rams’ 38-37 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
After the game, he expressed frustration on social media with a post that referenced referees before removing it.
“It’s just a lack of awareness and just some frustration,” Nacua said about the postgame post. “I know there are moments when I feel, man, you watch other games and you see the calls some guys get, and you wish you could get some of those -- but that’s just how football is played.”
Earlier Thursday, Nacua posted his apology in an Instagram post.
“I had no idea this act was antisemitic in nature and perpetuated harmful stereotypes against Jewish people,” he said. “I deeply apologize to anyone who was offended by my actions as I do not stand for any form of racism, bigotry or hate of another group of people.”
The statement is posted on a blue square, the logo for the Blue Square Alliance Against Hate.
Nacua appeared on a livestream earlier in the week hosted by internet personality Adin Ross, who suggested that Nacua perform the gesture as a touchdown celebration. The football player said he would and demonstrated how it would look.
Nacua’s comments on the livestream and after the game overshadowed his performance in postgame discussion, but Rams coach Sean McVay dismissed the idea it was a distraction as Los Angeles prepared for the important game against their division rival.
“It wasn’t a distraction at all,” McVay said. “Did you think his play showed he was distracted? I didn’t think so either. He went off today.”
In addition to setting a career high for receiving yards, Nacua reached 4,000 yards in career receiving in 42 games, tying him with Odell Beckham Jr. and Justin Jefferson for the fastest. According to the team, he also became the third receiver ever to have 160 or more receiving yards in three straight games.
California congressman Eric Swalwell was among those who criticized Nacua, saying it was especially insensitive in light of the attack in Sydney, Australia, that killed 15 people at a Hanukkah celebration.
“The Los Angeles Jewish community is on edge after the Bondi Beach massacre,” Swallwell wrote on X. “He promises an antisemitic touchdown dance for his Thursday night game. He should apologize or be dropped.”
The NFL issued a statement condemning “all forms of discrimination and derogatory behavior directed towards any group or individual.”
“The continuing rise of antisemitism must be addressed across the world, and the NFL will continue to stand with our partners in this fight,” the league said. “Hatred has no place in our sport or society.”
Nacua also criticized NFL referees on the livestream, calling them “the worst” and saying they make incorrect calls because “they want to be on TV, too.”
After the game Thursday, McVay echoed Nacua’s apology.
“He was very apologetic,” McVay said. “He’s a young guy that’s a great kid that’s continuing to learn about just the platform that he has. I love him, we’re going to continue to put our arm around him to help him learn and grow, but we never want to do things that ever offend anybody and I know he feels that same way.”
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Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua scores a touchdown during overtime in an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) scores a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) runs with the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua runs for a touchdown during overtime in an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua scores a touchdown during overtime in an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) reacts after a catch during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) reacts after a first down during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Katie Chin)
