Kucherov cranks up heat on Devils
NEWARK, N.J. — Angry after losing a playoff game, Nikita Kucherov and the Tampa Bay Lightning took out their ire on the New Jersey Devils.
Not only did the Lightning defeat New Jersey 3-1 on Wednesday to move within a game of making the Devils’ first trip to the playoffs in six years a short one, Kucherov was a one-man demolition man.
The NHL’s No. 3 scorer this season scored two goals, set up another and knocked New Jersey’s top defenceman, Sami Vatanen, out of the game with a big hit in the opening period.
“Kuch tonight flexed his muscles,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. “He’s pretty dynamic on the power play, but tonight, all around, I thought he was the best player on the ice.”
Kucherov has been the best player in the series so far. He has four goals and five assists in four games and he came into this game upset after the Lightning blew a 2-1 third-period lead in Game 3 to let the Devils back in the series.
With a 3-1 lead now, Tampa Bay can wrap up the best-of-seven series in Game 5 at home on Saturday.
“I didn’t like the way we had so many penalties in the last game, giving up so many opportunities on the power play,” Kucherov said. “For me, I was (angry) and didn’t want to lose – especially the way they reacted after some goals.”
The play everyone is going to talk about and the NHL probably will look at is Kucherov’s hit on Vatanen. No penalty was called but the 24-year-old Russian appeared to jump before hitting Vatanen in the shoulder and head area.
Cooper thought the hit was legal. Devils coach John Hynes screamed at the officials after the play but declined to talk about it after the game. Devils goaltender Cory Schneider, who made 34 saves, said he would give referees Tim Peel and Wes McCauley the benefit of the doubt on the play.
Kucherov said he did not intend to hurt Vatanen, who did not return. He has an undisclosed upper body injury, the Devils said.
“He’s normally the one dancing around guys,” said linemate J.T. Miller, who scored the other Lightning goal and had two assists. “I couldn’t believe it was him. I was right behind him and that’s a big-league hit right there. That’s the type of player he is. He’s competitive and he wants to win really bad.”
Vezina Trophy finalist Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped three breakaways in making 27 saves as the Lightning bounced back from a 5-2 loss.
“Vasy made some great saves, especially early on the game with a couple of breakaways,” Lightning captain Steven Stamkos said. “That calmed us down a bit and I thought we played a great third period.”