NIKITA KUCHEROV

Kucherov’s touch returns as Tampa resets at home

With heavy minutes and his line driving the better looks, the Lightning star steadies a split start

The opening week didn’t roar, but it didn’t wobble either: Nikita Kucherov has been Tampa Bay’s metronome through two games.

He’s logged 23.4 minutes per night and chipped in one goal and one assist as the Lightning sit 1-1-0.

The headliner isn’t just the point total—it’s how his minutes tilted the ice toward the right end. His on-ice share of expected goals—how much the looks were worth—sits at 52.6 percent (on-ice expected goals 3.92 for, 3.52 against). The quality edge shows up in high-danger chances: his groups have created 14 high-danger chances while allowing 7, a 66.7 percent split.