How do you say “resiliency” in Russian?
How do you say “breakout star?”
Perhaps it is time that the Tampa Bay Lighting learned. After all, considering the way that Nikita Kucherov took over Game Four of their NHL Stanley Cup series, all of Tampa Bay may be soon be speaking the language.
Kucherov scored two goals and had an assist to lead the Bolts to a 3-2 lead over the Detroit Red Wings Saturday night. That gives Kucherov five goals in the series, and it gives him 10 multi-goal games, the most in the league.
Jonathan Drouin, suspended not long ago, had three assists on the team’s three power-play goals.
“That was an outstanding result,” Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper said. “It was the confidence we had. At some point, special teams are going to have an effect on a series. Let’s tip our hat to the penalty kill.”
The Lightning took a 2-0 lead on Kucherov’s two goals. In the second period, Luke Glendening scored when he batted a rebound out of the air and into the net. The Red Wings tied the game at 2 when Gustav Nyquist knocked in a puck it eight seconds to go in the second period.
Despite letting the lead go away, the Bolts came back to score in the third period. Kucherov passed to Drouin who crossed the puck directly to Palat.
Ben Bishop had 26 saves for the game, including 10 in the final period. The Lightning penalty kill has now limited the Wings to one goal in 21 tries.
The Lightning attempt to close out the series Thursday night at Amalie Arena.
