Once again, Nikita Kucherov was the best player of the week as decided by the NHL. The Tampa Bay Lightning forward picked up 7 points (2 goals, 5 assists) in 2 games to beat out Connor Bedard, who also had 2 goals and 5 assists, but in three games. Marc-Andre Fleury went 2-0 with a shutout to garner third star of the week honors.
Against the Florida Panthers Kucherov hit the 40-goal mark for the third time in his career and has 114 points in just 66 games, one more than he had in 82 games last season. He’s on pace to eclipse his franchise record of 128 points set back in 2018-19. Its the third time this season Kucherov has received the first star of the week honor.
More Hockey News
Bolts Beginnings: Erik Cernak [Tampa Bay Lightning Youtube]
Kosice, Slovakia looks like a really nice place. Journey to Erik Cernak’s hometown in the latest episode of Bolts Beginnings.
Look who is on the ice..
Not going to lie, if I had shattered my leg the way Sergy did, I’d still be curled up in the fetal position.
Dmitry Kulikov suspended two games for hit on Conor Sheary [Department of Player Safety]
DoPS has ruled that the Panthers’ defenseman will be suspended for two games. They factored in the fact that Sheary was in a vulnerable position, Kulikov leaned into the hit, the hit was avoidable, and the primary point of contact was the head.
PWHL Trade Deadline features a couple of deals [The Ice Garden]
First, Boston received Lexie Adzija and the rights to Caitrin Lonergan in exchange for Ottawa’s Shiann Darkangelo. The second deal of the deadline was Ottawa sending Amanda Boulier for Tereza Vanisova from Montreal.
Wayne Simmonds will sign a one-day contract and retire as a Flyer [Broad Street Hockey]
Simmonds scored 203 goals in 584 games as a Flyer before bouncing around in the twilight of his career. The team will honor him on April 13 when they host the New Jersey Devils.
Coyotes recall Nathan Smith [Coyotes’ Twitter]
A late-season recall by another team rarely makes the news, but Nathan Smith’s recall is a unique one for Lightning fans. Mainly because Smith grew up as one of us. The first player born in the Tampa area to be drafted by a NHL team, Smith played for Mitchell High School in the Lightning’s High School Hockey League.
NHL general managers discuss OT format [NHL.com]
With 70% of overtime games ending in the bonus period, GMs are content with keeping things the way they are. There may be a lot more regrouping at center ice, but it’s not leading to more shootouts, so it’s unlikely we’re going to see any changes.
