In Tampa Bay's goals against the Canadiens in Game 1, Nikita Kucherov was involved. (0:43).TAMPA (Fla.) -- Only three NHL players have scored 30+ points consecutively in postseasons. They are Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux, and Nikita Kucherov.The Tampa Bay Lightning's star continued his remarkable postseason with two goals and an assist in Monday's 5-1 victory over Montreal Canadiens in the Stanley Cup Final. Kucherov scored all of Tampa Bay's points in the third period.Steven Stamkos, the Lightning captain, said that Kucherov set him up on the power play to Tampa Bay's final goal. He's playing like an animal right now. He is so, so good."Kucherov seemed to be in good health Monday, despite all concerns. After just one shift against the Islanders in Game 6, Kucherov was forced to leave. Coach Jon Cooper had stated that it was "dicey" for Kucherov to play in Game 7.Kucherov, however, downplayed his injury and refused to admit that he had been hurt. Kucherov stated last week that there was no injury. "I don’t know what you’re talking about."Kucherov was in Game 7 against Islanders, and he seemed fine against the Canadiens. The Lightning are three wins away of becoming Stanley Cup champions again.Cooper stated, "Guys are fighting through injuries; it is kind of an inspiration for others and so it's encouraging, watching what guys battle through, especially at this season." "And [Kucherov] is doing that, and clearly he was rewarded tonight for it and in the way he played and some results. It's Finals, and everyone's playing badly. Fortunately for this group, we had some success because everyone's fighting through it.Kucherov downplayed Monday's events. Kucherov again downplayed Monday's performance. His first goal, which gave Lightning a 3-1 lead in the third period, came after he stated that he had followed the coaches' plan and simply threw a puck into net.Kucherov stated, "There wasn't much I did there. Just throw it at the net to see what happens. Fortunately, we got a lucky bounce."Even though the 2019 league MVP tried to avoid credit, he claimed that he believed the goal should have been credited to Ondrej Palat.Kucherov stated, "I thought it was Pally’s goal and I hope he scores that goal."The Lightning won last change on home ice. They also enjoyed a feast of matchups where Kucherov's line was up against Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki from Montreal. The game was won by the line of Tyler Toffoli, Suzuki, and Caufield."We have complete confidence in our young players up top. Canadiens defenseman Ben Chiarot stated that we wouldn't be in this position in the playoffs if they didn't have complete confidence in their young players and what they can accomplish in our own end. "Officially there are matchups we would like to have, but that's not something you can afford when you're traveling."Kucherov scored 30 points in 19 playoff games. The only person to surpass that mark in the past 25 years is Evgenimalkin, a Pittsburgh Penguins center. Kucherov is currently leading the playoff scoring race. Brayden Point is next with 23 points. Kucherov was sidelined for the majority of the regular season after undergoing hip surgery Dec. 29 and has made this even more impressive.Kucherov stated Monday that it was difficult mentally not to be able play. But, that's all over the past. "I am enjoying the moment, happy to be with my boys and excited to play at the Final.Kucherov's season as a bench player was controversial in the league. Kucherov, and his $9.5 million cap hit), were granted some relief by the Lightning. General manager Julien BriseBois did not have to drop any contracts to keep them cap compliant. In the playoffs, the salary cap is irrelevant. Kucherov returned in Game 1 against the Florida Panthers. Dougie Hamilton, Canes' defenseman, lamented that the Lightning had defeated the Carolina Hurricanes in Round 2.In their annual pre-Stanley Cup Final news conference, Gary Bettman, NHL commissioner, and Bill Daly, deputy commissioner were asked about the situation.Daly stated that "nothing was wrong" in the workplace. "All of the managers are aware of the rules at the end of each day. These facts are consistent with the fact that Tampa was able to bring back a significant player during the playoffs. I don't apologize for the sound system that was there from the beginning.Bettman pointed out that the salary cap provisions have been in effect since 2005.He said, "This isn't new news for anybody." "Circumstances were as they were and we were satisfied there wasn't anything untoward."Daly stated that the NHL was open to altering the rules in the future, but that it would need to be collectively negotiated with the players' union.
