Kucherov leads way as Lightning take 3-1 lead over 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.”