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Kucherov Returns from Injured Reserve, Lifts Lightning Past Panthers

May 16, 2021, 10:39 PM ET [44 Comments]
Michael Stuart
Tampa Bay Lightning Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Tonight’s first game in the playoff series between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers went much the way anyone who has been paying attention to these two teams might have expected. The Lightning didn’t “flip the switch” and clean up their trend of sloppy play. The Panthers were incredibly entertaining. But Nikita Kucherov returned to the ice triumphantly and was the difference. Here are tonight’s thumbs:

Thumbs Up: Brayden Point Plays Hero
It was the Panthers who took advantage of Lightning turnover after Lightning turnover during most of this matchup, but when the game was on the line with only minutes left on the clock, Brayden Point handed them back a taste of their own medicine to put Tampa Bay up 5-4. As he did so many times during last year’s run, Point played hero.

Thumbs Down: Failing to Flip the Switch
Despite weeks/months of sloppy play to suggest otherwise, a significant portion of the Lightning fan base seemed to have this idea in their head that the Lightning would be able to flip the switch when the games started to count. It was always wishful thinking. Process matters in the National Hockey League, and it’s difficult to just engage it on a whim; that’s especially true against a very good team like Florida.

With Nikita Kucherov scoring two goals in his return, the Bolts managed to escape a different fate by the skin of their teeth. Brutal turnovers, a look of slowness, and a certain nonchalant attitude in the neutral zone easily could have handed Florida the opening win. Leaving a player like Jonathan Huberdeau open in prime position time and time again is going to sting more often than not. And it stung tonight.

The only hope for the Lightning is that this serves as a wakeup call. Even with the right result, they need to be better moving forward. Winning last year doesn’t mean anything now.

Thumbs Down: The Officiating
The officials lost control of this hockey game, with the “let them play” mantra playing far too much of a role. It's rare to criticize the officiating when you're on the winning side, but this game deserves it. The officiating was brutal in both directions – e.g. Ryan McDonagh’s hit on Anthony Duclair quite clearly should have been a major penalty. The practice of calling coincidental minors or letting things go resulted in some subtly (and blatantly) dirty hits being thrown as the game moved along.

Thumbs Down: David Savard’s Performance
Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow came *exactly* as advertised when they were acquired for a hefty sum at last year’s trade deadline, and they’ve since become integral parts of this Lightning roster. David Savard is pretty much the opposite right now; he’s been really underwhelming on the blue line for this team. Against a team like the Panthers, his apparent lack of foot speed becomes a real issue. We might just have to hold our breath whenever he’s out there to defend in this series. Hope for the best, friends.

Thumbs Up: Nikita Kucherov’s Triumphant Return
It took less than one full game for Nikita Kucherov to remind the hockey world that he is among the very best in the sport. He was electric for the Lightning tonight, and a major reason that they were able to hang around in this game before ultimately winning it. His two second period goals will generate the headlines, but it was his assist on Brayden Point’s 4-4 goal that really stuck out to me as being the play that defined his impact in this tilt. To have the presence of mind – and the deft touch – to pull that off is nothing short of miraculous, especially from a player who just spent the entire season on LTIR. Any questions about rust were answered.

Thumbs Up: The Entertainment Value
On a day full of phenomenal hockey games, this one felt like the most entertaining by a not-insignificant margin. I may be biased as a Lightning fan, but this was can’t miss stuff from start to finish. Even commentators up here in Canada were remarking that this was the series to watch in the first round – and, if this game is any indication, all those commentators were right.

Thumbs Up: Cap Gymnastics

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Game 2 goes Tuesday in Sunrise.

As always, thanks for reading.
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