Kucherov’s record, Panarin’s masterpiece and Kaprizov’s sniper car
In eleven NHL matches played over the ocean last night, the same number of Russian hockey players were noted for effective actions for their overseas clubs
The main event of Tuesday's game day in the National Hockey League, of course, was the historic achievement of 33-year-old Nikita Kucherov. In a tense match against Vegas (6: 2), the Russian forward scored 3 (1 + 2) points and came out on top in the top scorers in the history of Tampa Bay. Already in the fifth minute, the student of the capital's school "White Bears" assisted in most of Hagel, and in the 27th minute gave a jewelry pass to Anthony Cirelli's goal.
In the third period, Nikita cold-blooded Golden Knights defender Jeremy Lawson and confidently threw the puck himself. Thus, in the asset Nikita became 1137 (405+732) points in 888 matches held. He repeated the result of Canadian forward Stephen Stamkos, but did it in fewer matches, which allows you to safely put him in first place in the history of Lightning. In the next game, Kucherov will become the sole leader-bombardier “lightning”, since his opponent for “Tampa” no longer plays.
Stamkos himself, who speaks for Nashville, spoke very warmly about the professionalism of Nikita: Kucherov believes that everyone should have such a work ethic as him. If someone fails to give a gear, they wonder, "Why don't they work on the ice for two hours every day like me?" When you see the best player working so hard, it motivates you too.” These words largely explain both the outstanding results of the Russian and the restrained reaction to the record. For Nikita, this is not the ultimate goal, but only the next step in his endless quest for perfection.
No less vividly and convincingly showed himself and our 34-year-old forward Artemy Panarin, whose Los Angeles confidently and beautifully dealt with Washington Alexander Ovechkin with the score 5: 2. Panarin became the second star of the match, recording 3 (1+2) points scored on his score. A special, sincere admiration deserves his abandoned puck. Two seconds before the siren for a break, Artemy picked up the puck after hard pressure on the opponent and filigree from the corner of the court directed it exactly to the corner of the goal.
This goal-masterpiece charged the team with victorious energy and became a real decoration of the game day, causing a storm of applause even among neutral spectators. The Kings managed to turn the match that had failed for them (the guests missed two quick goals), and won a confident Victoria, leaving Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin on a hunger ration. In the asset 41-year-old Russian superstar, spending his last season in the NHL, still only 4 (1+3) performances. On the account of Panarin was 7 (3+4) points in seven games played.
Meanwhile, the 29-year-old Kirill Kaprizov continues to create his own, bright history in the “Minnesota”, not reducing the momentum gained from the beginning of the new season. Despite the fact that his team could not win over Edmonton away (3: 4), and in the end was content only with a draw in regular time, the forward himself looked simply amazing, dragging the team on his shoulders.
The 2018 Olympic champion scored his 11th goal this season, doing it in just 10 matches, and with a confident margin from the rest continues to single-handedly lead the race of the best snipers of the NHL. Such phenomenal stability and Kaprizov’s scoring flair are deeply respected by experts and fans on both sides of the ocean. In total, Kirill has already 17 (11+6) points, and he is one point behind those in second position - Matthews, Bouchard and Eikel.
Summing up the last busy night overseas, we can say with full confidence that Russian hockey players set the highest quality standard for many in the National Hockey League. From Kucherov’s historical records to Panarin’s filigree goals and Kaprizov’s relentless sniper footsteps. Our players are at the absolute peak of their physical and game form.
