Nikita Kucherov Championship Mindset Always On Display

The Tampa Bay Lightning are so glad they have Nikita Kucherov on their team. Since arriving on the scene, all Kucherov has done has shown he has the ability to be a big-time performer for the Lightning in the playoffs. Especially with the game on the line. His vision, his poise, and his flair for the dramatic have allowed the Lightning to get back in the series with the New York Rangers. There is a reason why head coach Jon Cooper wants him out there late in games. Kucherov delivers every time.

Nikita Kucherov Loves The Big Moment

With the Lightning season hanging on a thread trailing 2-0 in the series and Kucherov started the comeback for the Lightning on the power play. His power-play goal sparked the Lightning as they rallied to tie the game early in the third period. And while he had some bad giveaways and took a bad penalty that his team killed off, his head coach was not afraid to put him out there with less than a minute left in the third period.

And Kucherov delivered for Jon Cooper. The Lightning were 60 seconds away from overtime, where the next goal meant they could be down 3-0 in the series. However, the Lightning have a Championship Mindset. Especially Kucherov. He brought his team back from the brink of elimination. Tampa Bay has new life and the pendulum is starting to swing to their side.

With the puck in the Rangers zone, the Lightning went to work. Kucherov cut across the middle of the ice into the slot. From there he accepts the pass from Victor Hedman. Without hesitation, he knew exactly where Ondrej Palat was for the game-winning goal with 42 seconds left in regulation time. The entire building along with the bench went nuts as the Lightning were back in the series. Tampa Bay’s season was saved with one play from their best player.

But one thing is for sure despite, driving his coach and fan base crazy with bad turnovers and penalties, Kucherov knows how to get it done in the playoffs. Especially with the game on the line.

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Kucherov No Stranger to Late Game Heroics

Nikita Kucherov is no stranger to late-game heroics in the playoffs. There is no quit in his game. Kucherov plays until the final buzzer as he was taught. Just look at some of the big moments the Lightning were involved in.  Especially in recent Stanley Cup Playoff memories. There was Kucherov making things happen.

Just go back one round against the Florida Panthers. In Game 2 of Round 2 against the Panthers,, Kucherov took center stage once again. With the game tied at 1-1 late in regulation, the Lightning got the puck deep into the Panthers’ zone. The hard forecheck by Jan Ruuta forces Mackenzie Weegar to barely get his stick on the puck. There is Palat keeping the puck in at the point. Kucherov sneaks down the wall and behind the net. He takes a quick look before sending a beautiful pass to Ross Colton in front of the net for the game-winner with 3.8 seconds left in the game.

This win reminded coach Cooper of some of the most epic buzzer-beaters in Lightning playoff history. There was Tyler Johnson‘s last-second goal in 2015 against the Montreal Canadiens in Game 3 of Round 2 to give Tampa Bay a 3-0 series lead. Of course, Kucherov himself got in on the scoring. During the 2020 Playoff Bubble. He scored with 7.8 seconds left in regulation to defeat the New York Islanders and put his team up 2-0 in the Eastern Conference Final.

“I bet ‘Kuch’ has probably been on the ice for all three of those,” Cooper said after the Lightning victory against Florida in Round 2. “He’s a special, special player.”

With Brayden Point out of the lineup, Kucherov has been stepping. Even with Point in the lineup, Kucherov has been front and center in the Lightning offence. When the Lightning need a big goal, Kucherov is there. Either with the goal or the primary assist setting up the goal.

Outside of the Colton goal in Game 2 of Round 2, and Game 3 of Round 3, Kucherov has delivered in these playoffs for the Lightning. Going back to Round 1 against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Kucherov tied the game with a power-play goal before Point won it in overtime. Before the Colton goal in Game 2, Kucherov assisted on Corey Perry‘s game-tying goal in Game 1 against Florida. There is a reason Kucherov and the Lightning are champions. They know how to answer the bell with the game on the line.

“He’s won a Hart Trophy, he’s been an electrifying player, he’s got two Stanley Cup rings,” Cooper said after Game 3. “I think when teams go that far, each team has those types of players on them and that’s what Kuch is. He’s a unique, special talent.”

Lightning Will Continue To Lean On Kucherov

Even though Kucherov can be maddening at times, he always delivers with the game on the line. The Lightning are going to have to rely on him going forward in this series and in the rest of the playoffs. Just look at Game 3. Kucherov took a bad double minor penalty after turning the puck over at the opposition blue line. He was bailed out by the Lightning penalty kill and Jacob Trouba washing out the rest of the penalty. With the penalty over, there was in the spotlight. This time being part and not part of the problem.

The key for the Lightning is can they carry this momentum into Game 4. This game has the feeling of whoever wins it will take the series. And you know if the Lightning win Game 4, Nikita Kucherov will have his fingerprints all over the game.