Frank Vatrano celebrated a new contract with two goals and an assist and the Anaheim Ducks continued a strong stretch of play by beating the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning 4-1 on Sunday night.

Frank Vatrano had two goals and assist after signing a three-year contract extension earlier Sunday in the Ducks’ 4-1 victory over Tampa Bay.

Frank Vatrano celebrated a new contract with two goals and an assist and the Anaheim Ducks continued a strong stretch of play by beating the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning 4-1 on Sunday night.

For the first time in a long time, the Ducks could be on their way out of rebuild mode. But they aren't quite there yet.

Dave Pagnotta of the Fourth Period was on Sirius XM NHL Network Morning Skate segment with Scott Laughlin and Gord Stellick and was asked what the Frank Vatrano contract means for the Anaheim Ducks moving forward.

BOTTOM LINE: The Tampa Bay Lightning play the Anaheim Ducks in a non-conference matchup. Tampa Bay is 13-6-1 in home games and 23-16-3 overall. The Lightning have gone 5-6-2 in games decided by one goal. Anaheim is 9-10-3 in road games and 18-21-5 overall. The Ducks have conceded 137 goals while scoring 106 for a -31 scoring differential.

Frank Vatrano celebrated a new contract with two goals and an assist and the Anaheim Ducks continued a strong stretch of play by beating the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning 4-1 on Sunday night ...

In its trio of road tilts (1-1-1), the Lightning's results spanned the hockey gamut -- an overtime loss in New Jersey plus handing out a rout in Pittsburgh and being on the receiving end of one in Boston. Anaheim arrives for the fifth game of its East Coast journey -- a bumpy flight so far from the Ducks' perspective.

The Ducks will head to the Sunshine State for the final games of a season-long six-game road trip, tonight facing off with the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena. PUCK DROP: 4 P.M. PT | WATCH: VICTOR

Although the Ducks beat the Lightning by three goals on Jan. 5, they have, more recently, been battered on their season-long road trip. The Ducks sandwiched the only win on a journey that began with two lopsided losses between a pair of shutouts by their opponents.

This has been a difficult season for the Boston Bruins. They were expected to contend for the Atlantic Division title once again, but instead of battling the Florida Panthers and the Toronto Maple Leafs for the division lead,

Sam Reinhart leads the Panthers in goals (27) and points (51), while Matthew Tkachuk is second in both points (40) and assists (26). Recently named the “Athlete of the Year” in his native Finland, captain Aleksander Barkov ranks third in points (38) and first in assists (27).