Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov puts some steam back in the Lightning’s engine as he ties things up for the Bolts against the Arizona Coyotes.
The Tampa Bay Lightning knew coming into tonight’s contest they were going to be faced with an interesting challenge. Unfortunately, it seems as if the team may have slightly underestimated a team whose playoff hopes have already disappeared into the abyss, the Arizona Coyotes.
There has been a lot of back and forth between these two teams over the course of the first period and a half. Regrettably, when push comes to shove, the Coyotes seem to have a slight advantage over the Lightning. If the Lightning wants those much-needed two points, they are going to have to make their move, and quickly.
This is where we currently find ourselves. The Lightning is currently down 2-1 to the Coyotes after a goal from Coyotes forward Christian Dvorak right at the halfway point in the second period. Thankfully for the Lightning and their fans, the team had no intentions of allowing things to remain this way.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Our story starts shortly after the Dvorak goal. The Lightning is fighting for possession of the puck in the Coyotes zone. Nikita Kucherov finally comes up with the puck behind the net. Once he has it under control, he sends the puck flying to defenseman Jake Dotchin, who wastes no time in firing off a one-timer.
Coyotes netminder Louis Domingue was able to turn away Dotchin’s shot. The Coyotes would regain control of the puck, but not for very long. It wasn’t long before Coyotes defenseman Alex Goligoski would turn over the puck to Ondrej Palat. Palat, using his insane chemistry with his linemates, knew exactly where to put the puck.
As soon as Nikita Kucherov was able to get his stick on the puck from the odd angle, it was all over for the Arizona Coyotes. The Tampa Bay Lightning would successfully tie the game in the second period.
In the beginning of the season, it looked like Lightning captain Steven Stamkos was on par to lead the team in the scoring race; however, when his season was cut short with a lateral meniscus tear in his right knee, Nikita Kucherov would step up in a huge way.
Just in his last five games, Nikita Kucherov has picked up three goals and three assists for a total of six points. This is nothing in comparison to the spectacular numbers he’s put up throughout the season. In the 65 games he’s played this season, the 23-year-old Russian sniper has picked up 34 goals and 39 assists for a total of 73 points. These numbers place him in first place on the team in goals scored and overall points.
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It was just one game prior when the Lightning took on the Washington Capitals on Mar. 18, where Kucherov picked up his 100th career goal. Kucherov is the third fastest to make it to this particular landmark in franchise history. Kucherov narrowly beat out former Lightning captain Martin St. Louis for the third place position.
The only two to surpass Kucherov is current Lightning captain Steven Stamkos, who achieved the landmark in 194 games, and Brian Bradley, who reached the goal in 273 games. It’s pretty safe to say, Kucherov finds himself among some pretty skilled company.
Nikita Kucherov has done a terrific job of carrying a bulk of the load while Steven Stamkos has been sidelined with his leg injury; however, if the Lightning truly wants to make a solid run at the postseason, more offensive players are going to have to step up and contribute.
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The Lightning is filled to the brim with talented players. Hopefully, a couple of them can emerge from the darkness and really make a name for themselves as the Lightning attempt to forge their way to a postseason berth. This is a journey the Lightning could start tonight with a victory over the Arizona Coyotes.