Player of the Week: Nikita Kucherov

Nikita Kucherov has been on an offensive tear in the Eastern Conference Final to the tune of nine points (2G, 7A) in the series' first four games.

Five of those points came in the Lightning's 8-2 win over the Islanders in Game 1. Kucherov picked up assists on goals from Victor Hedman, Ryan McDonagh, Brayden Point and Ondrej Palat, while also scoring a back-breaking goal early in the third period that pushed Tampa Bay's lead to five.

Things tightened up for the Bolts offense in Game 2, but Kucherov managed to come through with the biggest goal of the series so far. The game appeared to be headed for overtime but with less than 10 seconds remaining in regulation, McDonagh managed to squeeze a cross-ice feed to Kucherov at the bottom of the right circle and he one-timed it home for the game-winning goal in a 2-1 Lightning win.
In the two most recent games of the series, Kucherov has been a provider, picking up three assists. In Game 3, he assisted on Palat's third period goal, sending a pass into the crease that Palat managed to redirect past Semyon Varlamov. Two days later, Kucherov added assists on Palat's game-winner and Point's goal early in the third period as Tampa Bay took a 3-1 series lead.
Kucherov's 25 playoff points are now tied with Brayden Point and Colorado's Nathan MacKinnon for the most in the NHL.
Game Log
9/7 vs. NYI - 1G, 4A
9/9 vs. NYI - 1G
9/11 at NYI - 1A
9/13 at NYI - 2A