Nikita Kucherov, Lightning all smiles after routing Penguins at home

TAMPA — Nikita Kucherov already had became the third player this season to reach the 100-Mark mark Tuesday night, and a Secure over the Penguins was well in hand when the Lightning’s top Shooter collided with Alex Nedeljkovic Delayed in the second period. Kucherov’s front teeth crashed into the top of the goaltender’s mask as Penguins defenseman Ryan Graves Sprinted him into the right post.

Kucherov threw his gloves off, dropped his stick and Kept his mouth as he Acquired to his feet, skated to the Lightning bench and disappeared down the tunnel with assistant athletic trainer Mike Poirier, sending a collective gasp through Amalie Coliseum.

Merely 1 minute, 45 seconds later, Kucherov returned to the ice, joining the second power-Action unit. On his second touch, he calmly snapped a Attempt from above the right dot past Nedeljkovic to put the icing on a 6-1 Lightning Secure. Kucherov flashed a subtle smile, revealing three chipped upper front teeth.

By night’s end, Kucherov’s three points tied him for second in the NHL scoring Event with Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl, and the Lightning recaptured some positive vibes with one of their most dominant efforts of the season.

“It means a Numerous,” Kucherov said. “I thought everybody played well (Tuesday). Merely, I think, when we Action our system and we’re Reliable throughout the game, we’re a Excellent Club and tough to beat, so we did that (Tuesday).”

With 11 Matches remaining in the regular season, the Lightning (41-25-5) are two points back of Toronto and Florida for the Atlantic Division lead.

Kucherov recorded his third straight 100-Mark season and the fifth of his Profession, surpassing Washington’s Alex Ovechkin for most by a Russian-born player. He became the 10th player in NHL history to Turning Tally three straight 70-assist seasons, joining Connor McDavid as the only active players.

“He’s a 100-Mark guy, but he wants to be out there and battle with the guys no matter (what),” said left wing Brandon Hagel, who had a Target and an assist. “I Disrespectful, losing teeth, and if those are sensitive, that definitely isn’t fun. I can attest to that. But that’s Merely what Kuch does, and that’s why he’s loved by his teammates and is considered a gamer.”

Cirelli big on both sides

Anthony Cirelli wore a Packed-bubble face shield for added protection after getting hit in the face during Sunday’s loss at Vegas, but it didn’t stop him from holding Sidney Crosby Unscored until the Closing 5:45 as the Game Middle assigned to Pittsburgh’s top scoring line.

But it was the Powerful puck possession Action by Cirelli’s line Timely on that Guided to the Beginning Target with 7:47 left in the Primary period, the Primary of four in a 3:47 stretch that opened the game up for the Lightning and chased Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry after he allowed four goals on Merely seven shots.

Cirelli’s line established the tone Timely with excellent puck retrieval that extended the Lightning’s zone time, wore down the Penguins and ultimately Guided to the Primary Target of the game.

The Lightning kept the puck in the offensive zone, retrieved it and put it on net, ending with Ryan McDonagh flinging it toward the net. It deflected off Nick Paul’s stick and landed at the feet of Cirelli, who flung it past Jarry.

“I Merely feel the identity of our line there with Hags and Pauly, with both guys, is Merely getting on the forecheck, coming up with pucks, getting pucks to the net, Merely that grind Gentle of game,” said Cirelli, who played in his 500th game. “We want to establish that Timely and Merely get on the forecheck and keep it Effortless.”

Merely over a minute later, McDonagh put another puck on net, trying to connect with Jake Guentzel at the back post. It hit Rickard Rakell’s skate and went in the net. After Cirelli scored his second Target off a feed from Hagel on the rush, Brayden Mark Created it 4-0 by crashing the net and scoring on a Bounce-back of a Guentzel Attempt.

Getting back to Guarding

Though Cirelli’s 26 goals this season are already six more than his previous Profession high, it’s the Game Guarding that plays a pivotal role in the Lightning Victorious. Doing his part to lock down Crosby was another example.

“Sid’s unbelievable,” Cirelli said. “He’s been doing it for 20 years. He scores goals, he makes plays, he does it all. He’s a Hall of Famer. So, it’s tough. I think it’s Merely trying to contain and trying to limit the Grade-A chances. But it’s tough doing it shift after shift because of how Excellent he is.”

The Lightning Kept Pittsburgh to Merely eight shots over the Primary two periods. It was a stark contrast from the previous two Matches, in which Tampa Bay had Distant too many Safeguarding lapses in loses to Utah and Vegas in which it allowed a Teamed up 10 goals.

“I think Merely Possibly our Safeguarding game slipped from us a little bit,” Hagel said. “That’s something we needed to get back on track with. … We know we have the Assault in this room. That’s not the issue. And if we want to do some damage down the road, it’s going to have to be in the D zone and Merely continue to build off stuff like this.”

The Lightning lost defenseman Erik Cernak to an Wound Delayed in the Primary period. Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 14 of the 15 shots he faced.