By Jake Ricker
The Tampa Bay Lightning looked to continue their three-game winning streak after a long 4 day break. Here is how they stacked up against the Minnesota Wild.
Stamkos-Point-Kucherov
Hagel-Cirelli-Paul
Eyssimont-Motte-Sheary
Watson-Glendening-Merelä
Hedman-Raddysh
de Haan-Perbix
Lilleberg-Crozier
Vasilevskiy
Here are the biggest takeaways from the Lightning's 7-3 win over the Wild.
Special Teams
Coming into the Ducks game a few nights ago, the Lightning had been on a nine-game skid on the man advantage. Now, after tonight, they are 6/6 going 3/3 against the Wild. It was only a matter of time before the Lightning power play got back on track, and it has come at a big time with the Lightning on a 4-game winning streak.
The Lightning power play is operating at an impressive 31% this season, which leads the NHL. The PP has always been a big part of the Lightning's game, but in a season that has been filled with defensive issues, keeping the offense out in front is a massive key to success for the Lightning moving forward.
Nikita Kucherov
It is almost impossible to write about this guy because you just run out of words to describe his play. With his three assists tonight, Kucherov now leads the NHL in Points at 75. He is also second in assists with 47 and 4th in goals with 28. And even with a three-point night, Kucherov looks frustrated on the ice because he knows he can play better. If this isn't even Kucherov at his full potential, the rest of the league doesn't want to see what it is.
Kucherov also reached 500 career assists tonight, making him just the fourth player in franchise history to hit that mark. Kucherov is magical on the ice, and there is no telling what numbers he will put up this season. And as long as he continues to play this way, the Lightning have a chance to win each and every night. Waltteri Merelä
The Lightning have had a lot of different young players take the ice this season, and all of them have been impressive. Tonight, Merelä was no exception. The Rookie scored his first NHL goal on a great shot after Connor Shearry found him on a cross-ice pass trailing late to make it 3-1 Lightning.
Not only has Merelä played well offensively, but he is another guy on a long list of ones that show so much effort each and every shift. You would be hard-pressed to find shifts where he is taking it easy. Jon Cooper and his staff will have some hard choices to make when players like Tanner Jeannot return to the lineup.
Three Stars
Media's three-stars
1. Kucherov (3A)
2. Hedman (1G 3A)
3. Point (1G 2A)
Our three-stars
1. Hedman (1G 3A)
2. Kucherov (3A)
3. Point (1G 2A)
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