Kucherov embraces function as crowd rival at NHL All-Star Sport – NHL.com

Lightning ahead, who had 2 factors in semifinal for Staff Hughes, ‘cherished’ receiving boos in Toronto
© Kevin Sousa/NHLI through Getty Photos
TORONTO — Nikita Kucherov embraced enjoying the villain function for Staff Hughes through the 2024 Honda (U.S.)/Rogers (Canada) NHL All-Star Sport at Scotiabank Enviornment 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 Staff Matthews within the semifinals. Kucherov left Toronto with fond recollections regardless of the loss — and the booing.
“I cherished it,” Kucherov mentioned. “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 very best 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 profitable 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 introduced by DraftKings Sportsbook at Scotiabank Enviornment on Friday and resumed when Kucherov was launched in Staff Hughes’ lineup on Saturday.
Undeterred, Kucherov waved to the followers to egg them on.
“He cherished it,” mentioned Vancouver Canucks coach Rick Tocchet, the coach of Staff Hughes. “I mentioned to ‘Kuch,’ ‘Everyone hates a winner, I suppose.’ The man, I believe he may very well be among the finest strain guys within the recreation the final eight, 9 years. Any time there’s an time beyond regulation, 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 received the Hart Trophy because the NHL’s most useful participant in 2018-19, Kucherov leads the League with 85 factors (32 targets, 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 ability Saturday enjoying with Canucks ahead Elias Pettersson and Anaheim Geese ahead Frank Vatrano.
“He makes the sport straightforward,” Vatrano mentioned. “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 Staff 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 targets there and had some cool chemistry going,” Kucherov mentioned. “It was enjoyable.”
Kucherov heard extra boos when he lined as much as shoot second for Staff 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 along with his catching glove, prompting Kucherov to wave to the gang once more.
“He ought to’ve let that one in,” Kucherov mentioned of his fellow Russian. “That might be enjoyable. However he’s a [heck] of a goalie, robust to attain in opposition to.”
Though Kucherov’s fifth All-Star Sport look didn’t finish the way in which he appreciated, he appreciated having one other probability 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 blokes and simply the environment,” he mentioned. “I believe the followers have been unbelievable right here. The gang 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, probably, within the playoffs. His focus now will return to serving to Tampa qualify.
The Lightning (27-18-5) received eight of their remaining 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 Purple Wings. Tampa Bay resumes play with a four-game street journey, starting in opposition to Shesterkin and the New York Rangers on Wednesday (7 p.m. ET; MAX, TNT, TVAS).
“We had little stretch going and we simply need to maintain going and simply keep per our recreation plan and everyone’s recreation,” he mentioned. “Our aim is to make the playoffs. That’s an important factor.”
Kucherov can be wanting 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 mentioned. “I simply attempt to go there and have enjoyable and attempt to assist my staff as a lot as I can. It’s at all times enjoyable once you go in opposition to the very best participant on this planet and attempt to be on the identical degree.”

source