Sign in Subscribe
Front Page

Quick Strikes: Kucherov on list of NHL players who scored in six straight season-starting games

And Tampa wins its eighth straight game against Detroit.

The Bolts

Straight from Bryan Burns’ game notes: “[Nikita] Kucherov has scored a goal in six straight games to start the season, joining Steve Yzerman (1988-89), Mario Lemieux (1992-93) and Keith Tkachuk (2008-09) as the only NHL players to do so in the last 30 years.” This isn’t all. Kucherov has also scored the Bolts’ most game-winning-goals (3), and paces the team for most goals (7) for second place in the NHL behind Alex Ovechkin (9). Read Hardev’s recap here. [Raw Charge]

But enough boasting on Kucherov. Let’s ponder this further bit of wisdom from Bryan and wonder where it might take us when Andrei Vasilevskiy gets exhausted: “The Bolts have been outshot in five of six games to start 2017-18 and are 4-1-0 when being outshot.” If you have any doubt about the eventual outcome of wearing out your goaltender, just look at Alan’s game results. Remember: the whole point of statistics is to point to what might happen if trends continue.

Red Wings lose eighth in row to Lightning. “Abdelkader became the first Red Wings to score on a penalty shot since Valtteri Filppula on Dec. 15, 2007. They had failed to convert on nine consecutive penalty shots.” [MLive]

How did I manage to not lead with this great news? Lightning 'Barks and Bolts' pet calendar on sale now. “The 14-month pet calendar, which starts in November of 2017 and runs through December 2018, is on sale for $20 with all proceeds benefiting the Humane Society of Tampa Bay.” [Lightning]

Backhand shot makes Nikita Kucherov's offense even more dangerous. “What makes Kucherov's backhand so impressive is how he does it with a big curve on his blade, Crosby's stick is more straight. Kucherov has little margin for error. ‘He's got complete control of that weapon on his hands,’ said Fox Sports Sun color analyst Brian Engblom.” [Tampa Bay Times]

VIDEO: Lightning’s J.T. Brown trains with Tampa PD after anthem protest. [WFLA]

Yesterday, Matt produced episode 9 of Charged Up, guest-starring Carolyn Wilke, formerly of Fan Rag Sports, to talk analytics, Dallas Stars, and Lightning. [Raw Charge]

The Prospects

We started our new weekly column, Crunch Corner! Every week, Brandon will be writing up his observations on the past weekend’s Syracuse Crunch games. He’ll be breaking it down into what worked, what didn’t work, and who worked hard. Go see! [Raw Charge]

Forward Erik Condra is returning to the Syracuse Crunch. “Tampa Bay assistant general manager Julien BriseBois said Monday that Condra is traveling to Syracuse today and will practice with the team Tuesday.” [Syracuse.com]

The Game

NHL Hot Seat: 3 coaches who could be fired by Thanksgiving. Always a fun read. [Puck Prose]

Ready for the second half of a back-to-back tonight? Yeah, no, me neither.

Read next

Comments ()