Kucherov has natural hat trick in Lightning's 8-3 romp over Sabres

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Nikita Kucherov had a natural hat trick and an assist — all in the third period — and the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Buffalo Sabres 8-3 on Wednesday night for their fourth victory in five games.

Kucherov, the Russian star who requested a trade Oct. 30, had his eighth NHL hat trick after the Sabres scored three in a row to cut it to 4-3.

Brandon Hagel scored twice, John Carlson had a goal and four assists, and Scott Sabourin and Yanni Gourde also scored. Jake Guentzel had four assists, and Anthony Cirelli added three, and Andrei Vasilevskiy made 28 saves.

Josh Doan, Jason Zucker and Tage Thompson scored for the Sabres, who have lost three of their last four. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made nine saves on 14 shots and Colten Ellis stopped five of eight shots in relief.

Thompson cut it to 4-3 33 seconds into the third period, but Kucherov soon took over, scoring his first two in a 2:46 span.

Lightning: At Columbus on Thursday night.

Sabres: At Chicago on Thursday night.

See AP’s full NHL coverage here

Buffalo Sabres center Noah Östlund (86) skates between Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (71) and right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson (72) skates past Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak (81) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Scott Sabourin (49) and Buffalo Sabres center Sam Carrick, right, compete for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Brandon Hagel (38) celebrates his goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Tampa Bay Lightning center Yanni Gourde (37) celebrates his goal with defenseman Charle-Edouard D'Astous (51) during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia’s vice president resigned Thursday as questions grew over his eligibility for the office after recent court rulings disputed his educational credentials.

Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the 39-year-old son of former President Joko Widodo, submitted his resignation to the leadership of the People’s Consultative Assembly, the country’s highest legislative body, at the parliament building in the capital, Jakarta.

Raka did not comment as he left the meeting.

The academic credentials investigation was apparently not related to investigations into allegations that top police officials had been involved in wiretapping targeting the president.

Under Indonesia’s Constitution, a vice presidential vacancy does not trigger a new election. The office remains vacant until the People’s Consultative Assembly elects a replacement from two candidates nominated by the president within 60 days.

Raka had offered to resign Tuesday during a meeting with President Prabowo Subianto, saying he wanted to avoid a prolonged political controversy. But a Cabinet minister said the president urged Raka at the time to defend himself and it wasn’t clear if he accepted the resignation offer.

The Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court ruled last month that the documents Raka submitted regarding his overseas education didn’t meet election requirements.

A subsequent petition, submitted Wednesday to the House leadership by 120 lawmakers from eight political parties, began a parliamentary process that could lead to his impeachment.

Under Indonesian law, House leaders must establish a special committee to examine whether Raka has violated the constitution by serving as vice president, despite allegedly failing to meet election requirements. If lawmakers determine there is sufficient basis for the accusation, the House must ask the Constitutional Court to rule on whether a constitutional violation has occurred.

Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, center, arrives at the parliament building in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)

FILE - Indonesia's Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka takes the oath during the presidential inauguration ceremony at the Parliament building in Jakarta, Indonesia, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana, File)

Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, center, leaves the parliament building after submitting his resignation letter in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)

Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka leaves the parliament building after submitting his resignation letter in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)

FILE - Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, left, walks with President Prabowo Subianto after Subianto delivers his State of the Nation Address at the parliament building in Jakarta, Indonesia, Friday, Aug. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara, File)

FILE - Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka listens as President Prabowo Subianto delivers his State of the Nation Address at the parliament building in Jakarta, Indonesia, Friday, Aug. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara, File)