Nikita Kucherov entered the week as a trailblazer for Tampa Bay, and ended it to lead the Tampa Bay Lightning in goals (9), assists (13), points (22), and plus/minus rating of plus-10.
His player of the week performance started with a goal and an assist in a 4-0 win over the New York Islanders on Monday, but everything changed when the Lightning rolled into The Joe the next day.
Kucherov opened the scoring against the Detroit Red Wings, and picked up an assist on a goal by Stamkos, before the Lightning captain went down with an injury. Stamkos is expected to be out 3-4 months with a lateral meniscus tear in his right knee.
All eyes have diverted towards Kucherov, who continued to answer the call for his captain-less squad, by posting his third goal of the back-to-back for the game winner, also earning first star of the game.
He finished the week with plus-6 six rating, and currently sits second in the NHL in points (22) behind only Mark Scheifele’s 23, and in assists in a three-way tie with 13.
He picked up his final goal of the week against the Buffalo Sabres, a no-look shot that Tyler Johnson probably got a nice look at.
The goal was his 9th of the season and his fourth in four games after being held off the score sheet against the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday.
For a complete listing of the 2016-17 NHLPA.com Players of the Week, click here.
