Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov combine for big night vs. Red Wings

When the Lightning were at their best at the beginning of the season, their superstars were the ones leading the way.

Closely tied to Tampa Bay's torrid start in October was the production they received from guys like Nikita Kucherov, Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman.
But as the season wore on each faced challenges. Hedman went down with an injury and was forced out of the lineup and both Stamkos and Kucherov went through difficult scoring droughts.
On Thursday, however, all three had their fingerprints on the Lightning's 4-1 win over the Red Wings at AMALIE Arena.
"Usually when the three of us can get on the scoresheet in some way, it's probably going to end up being good for our team," Stamkos said.
All three found their way onto said scoresheet early, and often, on Thursday.

By the end of the first period, the trio had already combined for five points: Stamkos with a goal, Kucherov with a goal and an assist and Hedman pitching in with two helpers.
"We had a really good start," Hedman said. "We had our legs and were executing plays and [were] obviously finishing them off."
It was the Lightning's third goal that broke Detroit's back and showed off the confidence the Bolts were playing with.

On a powerplay late in the second period, Kucherov faked a shot and then slotted a pass to Stamkos through traffic who was waiting at the left circle to give the Bolts a 3-0 lead.
"I had a couple shots and had been missing the net in the second period," Kucherov said. "…I just saw Stammer wide open and… when I see a guy open I will pass the puck."
One of the things the Lightning have struggled with recently has been closing teams out in the third period. After allowing a power-play goal late in the second to cut the lead to two, Tampa Bay needed a strong final 20 minutes to finish off the win.

Kucherov put to bed any doubt that the Lightning wouldn't secure the win early in the third. Driving toward the net, he drew the attention of Detroit defenders and found an open Alex Killorn who grew the Lightning's lead back to three.
"The play he made just to set up that fourth goal… not a lot of guys can do that," Lightning coach Jon Cooper said.
At the final horn, the three had combined for nine points and played a role in each Lightning goal.
With role players like Killorn and Yanni Gourde producing at an impressive rate at the moment, a return to form from the Lightning's stars couldn't come at a better time.