TAMPA — As the Lightning enter the All-Star break, Nikita Kucherov is playing the best hockey of his already illustrious career. The right wing leads the NHL in scoring with 85 points, one more ...

Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov, right, and head coach Jon Cooper take an up-close look at the Ted Lindsay Award Monday at TGH Ice Plex in Brandon. The trophy is awarded to the NHL's top player ...

Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov holds up a puck while taking to the ice as he is named the No. 1 star of the game after a 6-3 victory over the Colorado Avalanche at Amalie Arena on Thursday ...

Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) raises his stick as he is named the No. 2 star of the game after Tampa Bay's win over Carolina in Game 4 Saturday at Amalie Arena.

TAMPA — There’s a sense of anticipation when Nikita Kucherov has the puck on his stick that at any moment he’s about to do something special. And not just within the team. “Not only on our ...

TAMPA — Even when he’s not at 100 percent, Nikita Kucherov can do some magical things on the ice. The Lightning wing continues to work his way into playing shape after December hip surgery ...

Kucherov played a role in nearly half (49.485%) of the Lightning’s goals, and his point total was 54 points higher than Tampa Bay’s next highest scorer (Brayden Point, with 90).

But if the Lightning cannot figure out a way to get Kucherov and Point some room to work, it’s hard to imagine the series going Tampa Bay’s direction. Both players ended up minus-2 for the game.

TAMPA — The Lightning have been here before, forced to overcome a lengthy absence by Nikita Kucherov, and went on to win the Stanley Cup. But that doesn’t make it any easier for Tampa Bay ...

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov got off to a rather slow start this season, but has suddenly skyrocketed to first place on the team.The future of Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita ...

TAMPA — Nikita Kucherov sits back in his stall and smiles. Laughs a little, too. The Lightning star wing is talking — a lot. About his team, Steven Stamkos, his summer. That is news in itself ...