Kucherov embraces position as crowd rival at NHL All-Star Recreation – NHL.com

Lightning ahead, who had 2 factors in semifinal for Workforce Hughes, ‘liked’ receiving boos in Toronto
© Kevin Sousa/NHLI through Getty Pictures
TORONTO — Nikita Kucherov embraced taking part in the villain position for Workforce Hughes through the 2024 Honda (U.S.)/Rogers (Canada) NHL All-Star Recreation at Scotiabank Area on Saturday.
The Tampa Bay Lightning ahead appeared to thrive off being booed by the sellout crowd of 18,819, getting a aim and an help in a 6-5 shootout loss to Workforce Matthews within the semifinals. Kucherov left Toronto with fond recollections regardless of the loss — and the booing.
“I liked it,” Kucherov stated. “I’m right here to have enjoyable and I’m positive the followers loved it. It was a blast to be right here round the perfect gamers and be on the ice with them.”
The rivalry between the Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs has been constructing in depth after the Atlantic Division foes met within the Stanley Cup Playoffs the previous two seasons, with every successful as soon as. So, as Tampa Bay’s lone consultant on the 2024 NHL All-Star Weekend, Kucherov grew to become an apparent goal of the Toronto followers.
The booing started when Kucherov struggled and completed final within the 2024 NHL All-Star Expertise offered by DraftKings Sportsbook at Scotiabank Area on Friday and resumed when Kucherov was launched in Workforce Hughes’ lineup on Saturday.
Undeterred, Kucherov waved to the followers to egg them on.
“He liked it,” stated Vancouver Canucks coach Rick Tocchet, the coach of Workforce Hughes. “I stated to ‘Kuch,’ ‘Everyone hates a winner, I assume.’ The man, I believe he could possibly be among the finest stress guys within the recreation the final eight, 9 years. Any time there’s an extra time, any time you’ve acquired to attain a aim, his fingerprints are throughout it. I simply marvel on the method he thinks the sport.”
A two-time Stanley Cup winner with Tampa Bay (2020, 2021) who gained the Hart Trophy because the NHL’s most useful participant in 2018-19, Kucherov leads the League with 85 factors (32 objectives, 53 assists) in 49 video games this season, one forward of Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche. The 30-year-old confirmed off his world-class talent Saturday taking part in with Canucks ahead Elias Pettersson and Anaheim Geese ahead Frank Vatrano.
“He makes the sport simple,” Vatrano stated. “You’ve simply acquired to get open and get him the puck, in order that was enjoyable, for positive.”
HGS@MAT: Kucherov scores on breakaway for early lead
Kucherov gave Workforce Hughes a 1-0 lead by beating goalie Jake Oettinger between the pads on a breakaway 1:19 into the primary interval. He then helped arrange Pettersson for a aim that tied the rating 3-3 at 4:18 of the second interval.
“Two expert guys and we acquired a pair objectives there and had some cool chemistry going,” Kucherov stated. “It was enjoyable.”
Kucherov heard extra boos when he lined as much as shoot second for Workforce Hughes within the shootout. He once more waved to the followers, encouraging them to boo louder.
The boos turned to cheers when goalie Igor Shesterkin knocked away Kucherov’s try together with his catching glove, prompting Kucherov to wave to the group once more.
“He ought to’ve let that one in,” Kucherov stated of his fellow Russian. “That will be enjoyable. However he’s a [heck] of a goalie, robust to attain in opposition to.”
Though Kucherov’s fifth All-Star Recreation look didn’t finish the best way he appreciated, he appreciated having one other likelihood to expertise all that comes with the occasion.
“Simply the time being with the boys and having fun with it and speaking within the room with the fellows and simply the environment,” he stated. “I believe the followers had been unbelievable right here. The group was into it, and I appreciated it.”
Kucherov will see that crowd once more when the Lightning go to the Maple Leafs on April 4, and, doubtlessly, within the playoffs. His focus now will return to serving to Tampa qualify.
The Lightning (27-18-5) gained eight of their ultimate 9 video games earlier than their break for All-Star Weekend to maneuver into third within the Atlantic Division, one level forward of the Maple Leafs and Detroit Crimson Wings. Tampa Bay resumes play with a four-game highway journey, starting in opposition to Shesterkin and the New York Rangers on Wednesday (7 p.m. ET; MAX, TNT, TVAS).
“We had a great little stretch going and we simply should hold going and simply keep in line with our recreation plan and all people’s recreation,” he stated. “Our aim is to make the playoffs. That’s a very powerful factor.”
Kucherov can be trying ahead to persevering with his seesaw battle with MacKinnon for the NHL factors lead. The Lightning host MacKinnon and the Avalanche on Feb. 15.
“He makes me higher,” Kucherov stated. “I simply attempt to go there and have enjoyable and attempt to assist my group as a lot as I can. It’s at all times enjoyable if you go in opposition to the perfect participant on the earth and attempt to be on the identical stage.”

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