Kucherov Crafts the Setup in Tampa’s Home Win
The winger chipped in two assists while logging the most minutes among forwards as the Lightning beat Philadelphia 4-1.
Nikita Kucherov finished as a two-point playmaker in a 4-1 home victory, recording 2 assists and a +2 while skating 21:59 across 19 shifts. His production came at even strength (one assist) and on the empty net (one assist); he also had 1 shot on goal and 4 giveaways. Among Tampa Bay skaters he ranked 2nd in ice time and he led the forwards group, listed 1st of 11 in the position group. This game’s 21:59 of ice time is slightly below his season average of 22.9 minutes per game, but his two assists lifted his season totals to 1 goal, 3 assists, 4 points in 3 games. Plainly, it was a playmaking night rather than a shooting one: Kucherov set up teammates twice and helped his team secure the win, even as turnovers were a factor in his box score.