Friday, 3 a.m.

It seems he was gone for so long.

Imagine how Victor Hedman makes the Tampa Bay Lightning happy these days.

Hedman, who played in just 33 games last season, and had just one goal, scored the winning goal 2:07 into overtime Thursday night at Benchmark International Arena. Hedman's goal lifted the Bolts to a 4-3 win over the Seattle Kracken.

Hedman missed most of last season to focus on his mental health.

The Bolts are now 5-2 on the season.

Brandon Hagel had two goals, bringing his total to six for the season. The third Lightning goal was by Ilya Mikheyev.

Tampa Bay plays on Saturday afternoon against Vancouver at 4 p.m. at Benchmark Arena.

Wednesday, 4 a.m.

For the Tampa Bay Rays, the pitching was back. Freddy Peralta continued to show that he's a different hurler than he was with the New York Mets.

Also, the defense was back. The Rays played flawless defense to stop the Cleveland Guardians, who looked relentless a night earlier.

Did anyone mention the bullpen? It was back, too. One night after giving up five runs, the pen gave up just two hits and one run. Closer Bryan Baker earned his fourth save of the post-season.

Then there is the offense. No, it isn't quite back yet. The Rays had just seven hits and scored three unearned runs in a 3-1 victory over the Guardians. The Rays haven't hit the ball in their five post-season games.

Think about it. In the regular season, Yandy Diaz was hitting .293; in the post-season, he's hitting .238. Jonathan Aranda was hitting .274; in the post-season, he's hitting .232. In the regular season, Junior Caminero had 42 home runs: in the post-season, he has none? In the regular season, Chandler Simpson hit .306; in the post-season, he's hitting .167.

Yet, pitching performances such as Petalts’s can make it stand up.

Peralta allowed just four hits in his six innings and struck out six.

He took a lead in the fourth when Jose Ramirez committed an error at third, allowing Victor Mesa Jr. to score. It also put Chandler Simpson at third and Ben Williamson at second.

Liam Hicks followed with a two-run single to score both runners.

Cleveland's lone run came on a double to right by Chase DeLauter in the seventh.

Bryan Baker closed out the game on eight pitches in the ninth.

The Rays and Guardians continue on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at Progressive Field. Griffin Jax will start for the Rays against Gavin Williams.

Wednesday, 3 a.m.

So far, the Tampa Bay Lightning has been a dominant hockey team.

Except in Madison Square Gardens.

For the second time in six games, the Lightning took it between the eyes at the hands of the New York Rangers Tuesday night.

This time, it was 4-1. Earlier in the season, it was 5-1. Neither game was particularly close.

Zemgus Girgensons scored his first goal of the season to cut the deficit to 2-1 late in the first period.

Backup goalie Dylan Garand made 25 saves for the Rangers to snap the Bolts' four-game winning streak.

The Lightning is home against Seattle on Thursday night at Benchmark International Arena.