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Quick Strikes: Nikita Kucherov plays in 300th game for the Tampa Bay Lightning

Brock Boeser gets his first hat-trick, Lagace gets his first win, and Laval gets its first captain.

The Bolts

The Tampa Bay Lightning earned the extra point in a 5-4 shootout win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. “Andrej Sustr had a rough game and the coaching staff took notice after the second Columbus goal. The Czech defender played five shifts all game (four in the first, one in the third) for an ice-time total of 3:45. That’s it.” Has the team lost confidence in him to be an NHL defenseman? We will just have to wait and see. [Raw Charge]

“This is simply not fair” - Rest of the NHL.

“OH COME ON” - Rest of the NHL

122 goals, 135 assists, and 806 shots in 300 career NHL games. Congrats, Kuch!

Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov, and Victor Hedman are the stars of the team. Brayden Point and Mikhail Sergachev are the leagues newest young stars. But it’s the underrated players who really help keep this team where it is, at the top of the league. “During his first year with the Crunch, Yanni Gourde promptly led the team in scoring. He worked his way up the prospect ladder until he found a breakout role with the injury-depleted Lightning in the 2016-17 season.” [The Hockey Writers]

With Columbus head coach John Tortorella in town, the 2004 Stankey Cup Champion Lightning took a minute at Amalie Arena to reflect on those days. “Clearly on an individual level, it’s Game 6 in Calgary. The Stanley Cup is there, we’re down (in the series 3-2), and we’re in overtime, and winning that game (gave) us a chance to come back home and play Game 7 in front of our fans. Those are epic moments, and to be part of that is definitely my favorite memory as a player." - Martin St. Louis [Tampa Bay Times]

The Prospects

Former Syracuse Crunch centerman Byron Froese has been named the captain of the Montreal Canadiens AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket. “Joining Froese on the leadership team for the Rocket this season are defenceman Matt Taormina, who was also added this off-season from the Crunch and veteran forward Chris Terry, who joined the organization last season.” [Habs Eyes on the Prize]

Speaking of Laval, the Crunch lost both of their games against the Quebec side, earning only one point for their efforts. “Carter Verhaeghe and Cory Conacher scored for the Syracuse Crunch, but it wasn't enough offense to surpass the Laval Rocket in a 5-2 loss Saturday at Place Bell.” [Syracuse]

Not a huge night for the junior prospects, because the majority played last night. However, Christopher Paquette had two goals including the OT winner to give Peterborough the win over Barrie. Brett Howden, Boris Katchouk, and Libor Kahek all scored as well for their respective teams. [Bolt Prospects]

The Game

Brock Boeser scored his first career hat-trick in the NHL and, for the first time since 2011, Vancouver Canucks fans finally have something to cheer about. “He’d manage to not only put the team up in the game, but would have pulled off a natural hat trick if not for a Greg McKegg (yes, he’s actually in the NHL now) goal five minutes into the third period.” [Canucks Army]

To start the season, Maxime Lagace was the Vegas Golden Knights’ fourth-string goalie. Last night, he won his first NHL game, a 5-4 win over the Ottawa Senators. [Knights on Ice]

Highlight of the Night: Alex Pietrangelo dipsie-doodle-dangles the Maple Leafs’ defense and tucks the puck home on the backhand. Smooth. [Reddit]

Hope you all have a great day!

Oh and one last thing,

Has Ryan Reaves finally convinced you that the trade that brought him to the Pittsburgh Penguins was worth it?

No2
Phil Kessel is a Stanley Cup Champion9

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