Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning are taking heat off Steven Stamkos
There was a reason to worry about Nikita Kucherov after seven games for the Tampa Bay Lightning. He notched two assists in that span, and his ice time was as all over the map as his effectiveness. This was after a dazzling six-goal preseason, but also after an inconsistant rookie year in 2013-14.
But then came a three-assist game against the Winnipeg Jets. And his first NHL goal against the Minnesota Wild. And then, on Tuesday night, his first NHL hat trick.
His surge coincides with his meshing with last year’s rookie darlings, center Tyler Johnson and winger Ondrej Palat.
From the Herald-Tribune last night:
"Having those guys (as linemates) made it easy," Kucherov said. "It was important to get back on track."
"They've given us a boost to take some pressure off Stramkos when he's not scoring," Cooper said. "All three play the game fast. There's something to be said about the chemistry of that line."
They’ve only played about 35 minutes together at 5-on-5, but this line has been a possession monster so far. Johnson (67.6 Corsi-For percentage) and Palat (61.9) have been awesome with Kucherov, and he’s played his best hockey with them.
It’s been an interesting journey for him. He played 52 games last season with middling results, and didn’t see the ice late in the season and during two games in the postseason. As Erik Erlendsson writes, he’s found his groove:
It had never happened at the NHL level, however. A high-scoring phenom in junior who got off to a scorching start in the minors last season before he was called up in November, Kucherov never had more than one goal in an NHL game and only had one multi-point game last season. After leading the league in goal scoring during the preseason, however, Kucherov may now be finding his stride a bit with three multi-point games already this season, including a career-high three assists Friday in Winnipeg. Already with a stable of young, talented offensive players, Kucherov is now inserting his name into that mix after making an impression last season.
“He had about 14 breakaways against us in New York last year,’’ said [Brian] Boyle, who signed as a free agent this summer after spending last season with the Rangers. “But the skill set is pretty impressive, and I’m happy for him now. He’s been going to the dirty areas to make subtle plays that might not get written about or show up on highlight plays, and he’s been rewarded.’’
It’s a speed game in the NHL these days, and having a trio that can fly is essential. Cooper has one in the Kucherov line; and one that isn’t going to see the same defensive assignments as the Steven Stamkos line.
This could end up being one of the best secondary scoring units in the League.
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