Lightning's Nikita Kucherov delivers another unenthusiastic NHL playoffs campaign
Winger Nikita Kucherov provided another disappointing playoff campaign as the Tampa Bay Lightning were eliminated in Game 7 to the Montreal Canadiens.
Lightning's Nikita Kucherov delivers another unenthusiastic NHL playoffs campaign originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . On Sunday night, the Montreal Canadiens eliminated the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 7 despite being outshot 29-9.
Montreal’s nine shots on goal were the lowest total recorded in a Stanley Cup Playoffs win, according to Sportsnet Stats . But the Canadiens’ zero-shot second period and fortunate bounces on their two goals aren’t the main talking points; it’s once again the confusing play of Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov. Kucherov struggled hard in Game 7.
He had several poor turnovers, one of which led to a penalty, and he found it nearly impossible to get shots past the Canadiens’ defenders. Arguably, one of the best playmakers in the NHL was unable to set up his teammates for shots in high-danger areas as he had in the regular season. A player who makes the game look easy in the regular season becomes unable to make similar plays.
Pucks roll off his stick, his touch passes become inaccurate, and his pinpoint accuracy disappears. But Kucherov’s struggles this post-season aren’t just a one-time thing. This is something we’ve seen now in four consecutive playoff trips.