Angry after losing a playoff game Patrick Kane Jersey , Nikita Kucherov and the Tampa Bay Lightning took out their ire on the New Jersey Devils.

Not only did the Lightning defeat New Jersey 3-1 on Wednesday to move within a game of making the Devils’ first trip to the playoffs in six years a short one, Kucherov was a one-man demolition man.

The NHL’s No. 3 scorer this season scored two goals, set up another and knocked New Jersey’s top defenseman, Sami Vatanen, out of the game with a big hit in the opening period.

”Kuch tonight flexed his muscles,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. ”He’s pretty dynamic on the power play, but tonight, all around, I thought he was the best player on the ice.”

Kucherov has been the best player in the series so far. He has four goals and five assists in four games and he came into this game upset after the Lightning blew a 2-1 third-period lead in Game 3 to let the Devils back in the series.

With a 3-1 lead now, Tampa Bay can wrap up the best-of-seven series in Game 5 at home on Saturday.

”I didn’t like the way we had so many penalties in the last game, giving up so many opportunities on the power play,” Kucherov said. ”For me, I was (angry) and didn’t want to lose-especially the way they reacted after some goals.”

The play everyone is going to talk about and the NHL probably will look at is Kucherov’s hit on Vatanen. No penalty was called but the 24-year-old Russian appeared to jump before hitting Vatanen in the shoulder and head area.

Cooper thought the hit was legal. Devils coach John Hynes screamed at the officials after the play but declined to talk about it after the game. Devils goaltender Cory Schneider Zach Parise Jersey , who made 34 saves, said he would give referees Tim Peel and Wes McCauley the benefit of the doubt on the play.

Kucherov said he did not intend to hurt Vatanen, who did not return. He has an undisclosed upper body injury, the Devils said.

”He’s normally the one dancing around guys,” said linemate J.T. Miller, who scored the other Lightning goal and had two assists. ”I couldn’t believe it was him. I was right behind him and that’s a big-league hit right there. That’s the type of player he is. He’s competitive and he wants to win really bad.”

Vezina Trophy finalist Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped three breakaways in making 27 saves as the Lightning bounced back from a 5-2 loss.

”Vasy made some great saves, especially early on the game with a couple of breakaways,” Lightning captain Steven Stamkos said. ”That calmed us down a bit and I thought we played a great third period.”

Kyle Palmieri scored on a 5-on-3 advantage for the Devils, who are back in the playoffs for the first time since reaching the Stanley Cup Final in 2012. It was the only time they beat Vasilevskiy, whose 44 wins in the regular season shared the league lead with Winnipeg’s Connor Hellebuyck.

”We were picked to finish last in the East and last in the Metro,” Devils defenseman Ben Lovejoy said. ”This is a spot we are comfortable. We are comfortable being the underdog. We need to go out and win one game in Tampa. We need to go out and play our best game.”

Kucherov broke a 1-all tie with 4:58 left in the period. Defenseman Brayden Coburn sent a pass from the left boards that hit off Devils’ defenseman Damon Severson. Kucherov collected the loose puck right in front and put it high into the net for his third goal of the series. He would ice the game with an empty-net goal with 1:08 to go.

The Lightning had tied it at 11:30 of the opening period on a great rush. Stamkos fed Kucherov entering the zone and he found Miller on the left side for a shot over Schneider’s shoulder.

Cory Conacher appeared to give Tampa Bay the lead with 7:39 left in the period, but the goal was overturned when a review found the Lightning were offside.

For the first time in the series, the Devils scored first with Palmieri converting from the left circle with the Lightning playing two men short at 8:23 of the first.

Alex Killorn got the first penalty at 7:47 with a hook and 25 seconds later Cedric Paquette tripped Taylor Hall. Eleven seconds later Ryan Getzlaf Jersey , New Jersey had its second 5-on-3 goal in two games.

NOTES: Lightning D Ryan McDonagh appeared in his 100th NHL playoff game. … This is the first time Schneider has had consecutive starts since Jan. 22-23. … There were no lineup changes for Game 4. … Vatanen has been leading the Devils in time on ice in the series, averaging 23:23. … Tampa Bay was 5 of 9 on the power play in the first three games. They were 0 for 5 in Game 4. They killed off 6 of 7 Devils’ power plays.

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CARSON, Calif. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes‘ first Week 1 start could not have gone any better. The second-year quarterback became the third player in Chiefs‘ history to throw for four touchdowns in an opener.

Before Kansas City fans begin running wild with Mahomes mania, though, coach Andy Reid and Mahomes are quick to point out there are still plenty of things to work on.

“I thought he did a nice job. He has things that he has to work on, like everybody, and he knows it,” Reid said after the Chiefs’ 38-28 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. “This will be a great learning tool for him as he evaluates the tape. He made plays, he did it with his legs, he did it throwing, he did it with checks.”

Mahomes, who was the 10th overall pick in the 2017 draft, was 15 of 27 for 256 yards as he improved to 2-0 in his career as a starter.

Mahomes began strong Derick Brassard Jersey , completing all three passes on his first drive, including a 58-yard touchdown to Tyreek Hill on what was originally a run play with a pass option. He went 4 of 11 the rest of the first half as many of his passes sailed high.

In the second half, he settled in and directed touchdowns on 3 of 6 drives. Mahomes was 8 of 13 for 125 yards and three touchdowns passing after halftime.

Mahomes said extending possessions will be an area of focus when preparations begin for next Sunday’s game against Pittsburgh.

“I feel like we left a lot out there. We scored on some big plays but sustaining drives and executing wherever we need to execute is something I think we need to keep working on as we go throughout the rest of the season,” he said.

MORE DANGEROUS HILL?

Hill’s speed and big-play ability as a returner and receiver already keep opposing coaches up at night. Defensive coordinators may have even more to worry about though as Mahomes said the third-year receiver has really improved his route running.

“I think today has showed that he has improved in his part and has the speed to bring it any time,” Mahomes said.

On his 58-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter to give the Chiefs a 14-3 lead, Hill ran a well-timed slant to the middle of the field and then eluded a diving tackle attempt by Jahleel Addae as he found a seam up the left sideline.

“I just have to run my route and be there. There’s a certain spot on the field that I have to be and he’s going to throw it there every time. Then after that, it’s history,” said Hill, who finished with seven receptions for 169 yards and three touchdowns.

TOUR DE RIVERS

Despite two turnovers that led to 14 Kansas City points and giving up a punt return for a touchdown, Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers wasn’t concentrating on an 0-1 start but was focusing on the big picture of the rest of the season.

“I’m not much of a cycling fan, but I compare the NFL season to the Tour de France. It’s all those stages, and that’s what the NFL season is to me,” said Rivers Christian Dvorak Jersey , who was 34 of 51 for 424 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. “There’s 16 stages you get, and you dang sure better win your fair share of them, but it’s a long deal, and we’re down after the first stage, and we’ve got a chance in Buffalo to get a win and get to 1-1.”

Rivers doesn’t want to see the Chargers fall too far back of the AFC playoff peloton. The Chargers won nine of their final 12 games last season but missed the playoffs due to an 0-4 start.

INJURIES OF NOTE

Chiefs: LB Ben Niemann injured his hamstring. Reid said he did not know the severity of the injury and said it was likely going to be week-to-week. S Eric Berry made the trip but was inactive due to a heel injury.

Chargers: RT Joe Barksdale was carted off after injuring his right knee during the first quarter and did not return. Coach Anthony Lynn said he did not know the severity of the injury. Sam Tevi took Barksdale’s place on the offensive line. Lynn also said DT Joey Bosa, who was inactive for the game, remains week-to-week with a foot injury.

STREAKING ALONG

Kansas City has a nine-game winning streak over the Chargers, which is the longest in the 116-game rivalry dating to the American Football League.

However, it is not the Chiefs’ longest streak against an AFC West foe. They won 11 straight over Denver from 1964 to ’69.

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