Nikita Kucherov

The NHL is gearing up for one of the most competitive Hart Trophy decisions in years.

If there was ever a year for Kucherov to be named the NHL's most valuable player — no offense to MacKinnon or McDavid — this is the one.

Lightning head coach Jon Cooper feels that Nikita Kucherov is having a better season than his 2018-19 MVP season.

Raising children in another continent and culture raises big questions: Who are your kids, and where will they want to be in the long term?

None of the forwards played a single shift during the third period, which Tampa Bay entered trailing 4-1.

Team Atlantic defeated Team Central 7-5 to win the 2023 NHL All-Star Game at FLA Live Arena on Saturday.

The 32 participants for the 2023 NHL All-Star Game were revealed on Thursday night.

Andre Tourigny, now coach of the Arizona Coyotes, saw something special in Kucherov from their first meeting.

There was a different buzz around the rink as Kucherov neared his return, teammates said. He has a presence, a swagger.

Kucherov has not played since Oct. 16, when he suffered a lower-body injury that required surgery.

"It's a hard league to catch up in. You don't want to fall behind early," coach Jon Cooper said Monday morning.

Also, where does the Lightning's trade deadline acquisition of Ryan McDonagh rank through the years compared to their other deadline moves?

Corey Perry likely will get the first chance to skate with Ondrej Palat and Brayden Point, but what about the power play?

The Lightning will know more about the severity of Kucherov's injury when he's evaluated again upon their return to Tampa.

Kucherov had to change, on and off the ice, in order for the Lightning to fulfill their potential, and he turned into an "elite winner."

2011 was a banner draft for Tampa Bay, with all seven picks playing at least one game in the NHL.

Nikita Kucherov's post-game conference call was perfect because it was recognizably human and — this is important — harmless.

As the series shifts back to Tampa for Game 7, Kucherov's status remains a question mark after he was on the ice for just 46 seconds.