Lightning ahead, who had 2 factors in semifinal for Workforce Hughes, ‘liked’ receiving boos in Toronto
©<\/span> Kevin Sousa\/NHLI through Getty Pictures
TORONTO —<\/strong> Nikita Kucherov<\/a> 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<\/a> to Workforce Matthews within the semifinals. Kucherov left Toronto with fond recollections regardless of the loss — and the booing.
\u201cI liked it,\u201d Kucherov stated. \u201cI\u2019m right here to have enjoyable and I\u2019m positive the followers loved it. It was a blast to be right here round the perfect gamers and be on the ice with them.\u201d
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\u2019s 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\u2019 lineup on Saturday.
Undeterred, Kucherov waved to the followers to egg them on.
\u201cHe liked it,\u201d stated Vancouver Canucks coach Rick Tocchet, the coach of Workforce Hughes. \u201cI stated to \u2018Kuch,\u2019 \u2018Everyone hates a winner, I assume.\u2019 The man, I believe he could possibly be among the finest stress guys within the recreation the final eight, 9 years. Any time there\u2019s an extra time, any time you\u2019ve acquired to attain a aim, his fingerprints are throughout it. I simply marvel on the method he thinks the sport.\u201d
A two-time Stanley Cup winner with Tampa Bay (2020, 2021) who gained the Hart Trophy because the NHL\u2019s 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<\/a> of the Colorado Avalanche. The 30-year-old confirmed off his world-class talent Saturday taking part in with Canucks ahead Elias Pettersson<\/a> and Anaheim Geese ahead Frank Vatrano<\/a>.
\u201cHe makes the sport simple,\u201d Vatrano stated. \u201cYou\u2019ve simply acquired to get open and get him the puck, in order that was enjoyable, for positive.\u201d
HGS@MAT: Kucherov scores on breakaway for early lead
Kucherov gave Workforce Hughes a 1-0 lead by beating goalie Jake Oettinger<\/a> 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.
\u201cTwo expert guys and we acquired a pair objectives there and had some cool chemistry going,\u201d Kucherov stated. \u201cIt was enjoyable.\u201d
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<\/a> knocked away Kucherov\u2019s try together with his catching glove, prompting Kucherov to wave to the group once more.
\u201cHe ought to\u2019ve let that one in,\u201d Kucherov stated of his fellow Russian. \u201cThat will be enjoyable. However he\u2019s a [heck] of a goalie, robust to attain in opposition to.\u201d
Though Kucherov\u2019s fifth All-Star Recreation look didn\u2019t finish the best way he appreciated, he appreciated having one other likelihood to expertise all that comes with the occasion.
\u201cSimply the time being with the boys and having fun with it and speaking within the room with the fellows and simply the environment,\u201d he stated. \u201cI believe the followers had been unbelievable right here. The group was into it, and I appreciated it.\u201d
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).
\u201cWe had a great little stretch going and we simply should hold going and simply keep in line with our recreation plan and all people\u2019s recreation,\u201d he stated. \u201cOur aim is to make the playoffs. That\u2019s a very powerful factor.\u201d
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.
\u201cHe makes me higher,\u201d Kucherov stated. \u201cI simply attempt to go there and have enjoyable and attempt to assist my group as a lot as I can. It\u2019s at all times enjoyable if you go in opposition to the perfect participant on the earth and attempt to be on the identical stage.\u201d<\/p>\n