Kucherov scores on 1st 2 shots, Lightning beat Flyers 7-2 for 9th straight win

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Nikita Kucherov scored on each of his first two shots and assisted on Gage Goncalves' two goals to help the Tampa Bay Lightning win their ninth straight game, 7-2 over the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday night.

The teams will meet against Monday night in Philadelphia.

Kucherov extended his points streak to nine games on his first shift, one-timing Brayden Point's pass past goalie Sam Ersson at 1:49. The Russian star beat Ersson again on his second shot, a wrister from the left circle at 6:05.

Kucherov had his third four-point game of the month and the season. He has multiple points in all nine games during the points streak to run his season total to 23. In his last 21 games, Kucherov has 13 goals and 33 assists.

Nick Paul, Brandon Hagel and Yanni Gourde also scored for the Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy made 18 saves for his seventh consecutive victory.

Philadelphia's Garnet Hathaway snapped a 44-game drought without a goal when he tipped Noah Juulsen's shot past Vasilevskiy in the first period. It was his first goal since April.

Owen Tippett also scored for the Flyers. Ersson made 16 saves.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Tampa Bay Lightning's Nikita Kucherov celebrates his goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Philadelphia Flyers, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

Philadelphia Flyers' Sean Couturier (14) checks Tampa Bay Lightning's Erik Cernak (81) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

Tampa Bay Lightning's Erik Cernak, right, checks Philadelphia Flyers' Denver Barkey along the boards during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy makes a save during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Philadelphia Flyers, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

Tampa Bay Lightning's Nick Paul, center, celebrates after his goal with Charle-Edouard D'Astous (51) during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Philadelphia Flyers, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Andrew Nembhard had 29 points and nine assists, Aaron Nesmith added 12 points and nine rebounds before an early exit and the Indiana Pacers routed the Miami Heat 123-99 on Saturday night.

Indiana matched its longest winning streak of the season with a rare second straight victory, this time taking the easy route. The Pacers never trailed and held a double-digit lead for most of the game. The Pacers made 17 3-pointers, one short of their season high, with Nembhard matching his season best with four.

Backup Micah Potter made four 3s and finished with 14 points. Jarace Walker had 13 points.

Tyler Herro had 21 points, seven rebounds and four assists on a night Miami shot just 39.1% from the field. Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 16 points, and Bam Adebayo had 13 points and nine rebounds. Miami has lost three of its last four and missed its first 11 3s on Saturday.

The game tipped less than 24 hours after another Miami-Indiana contest was set up in college football's national championship game. And just like Friday night's Hoosiers victory over Oregon, the Pacers wasted no time setting the tone — or running out to a big lead.

They used first-quarter runs of 12-2 and 9-0 to build an early 28-12 cushion. Miami trailed 36-18 entering the second quarter.

The Heat opened the second half with nine straight points, cutting the deficit to 61-54. But Indiana made it 71-58 on back-to-back 3s from Potter and Nembhard and used a 21-6 run to extend the margin to 97-68 late in the third quarter.

Heat: Heads to Oklahoma City on Sunday.

Pacers: Welcome Boston to Indy on Monday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Indiana Pacers guard Aaron Nesmith (23) looks to shoot in front of Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins (22) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

Miami Heat guard Pelle Larsson (9) makes contact with Indiana Pacers center Jay Huff (32) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) locks arms with Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic (5) while going for a rebound during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) shoots in front of Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)