10 Times We Caught Nikita Kucherov Smiling or Almost Smiling
It doesn’t happen often. But here are 10 times we caught the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov smiling… or almost smiling. Congratulations to Tampa Bay Lightning right winger and future…
Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning, right, celebrates his 100th assist on the season with Brayden Point #21 against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period at the Amalie Arena on April 17, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
It doesn't happen often. But here are 10 times we caught the Tampa Bay Lightning's Nikita Kucherov smiling... or almost smiling.
Congratulations to Tampa Bay Lightning right winger and future NHL Hall of Famer Nikita Kucherov. Last night, he became only the 5th NHL player EVER to get 100 assists in a single season.
For those not super into hockey, an assist is when you pass the puck to a teammate who scores. Getting 100 assists in a season puts Kuch in some pretty impressive company with hockey legends like Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr and Mario Lemieux. Before this year, it had been a long 32 years since a player accomplished this feat. For a brief fleeting moment, we caught Nikita Kucherov smiling as everyone at Amalie Arena celebrated.
Nikita Kucherov is one of the most intense players on the Tampa Bay Lightning and all of the National Hockey League. TV cameras often catch Kuch scowling and cussing himself out on the bench if a shift doesn't go exactly as planned. Even when he gets the puck in the net, Nikita Kucherov's celebrations are usually more of a loud ferocious yell instead of a cheerful celebratory grin. To catch Nikita Kucherov smiling is a special moment.
But here are a few rare shots where we caught the Russian cracking a smile... or almost smiling. Congratulations to the Tampa Bay Lightning on securing another playoff run. The Lightning begin the quest for another Stanley Cup and boat parade this weekend. The Bolts will face off against in-state rival the Florida Panthers in the first round of the NHL playoffs. These 2 teams are notorious for getting physical so this series should be memorable. Go Bolts! And hopefully we'll be able to share some more of these rare instances of Nikita Kucherov smiling.
Tampa Bay Lightning Victory Rally & Boat Parade
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)Stanley Cup memories! Kuch and former Bolt Pat Maroon were all smiles during the Stanley Cup victory rally at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park on July 12, 2021 in Tampa.
Montreal Canadiens v Tampa Bay Lightning
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)A rare on-ice smile as Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates a goal in the second period during a game against the Montreal Canadiens at Amalie Arena on April 02, 2022 in Tampa, Florida.
2024 NHL All-Star Portraits
(Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)Nikita Kucherov sort of smiles for his portrait prior to the 2024 Honda NHL All-Star Game on February 03, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario.
2017 NHL All-Star - Portraits
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)A younger Nikita Kucherov ALMOST smiles as he poses for a portrait prior to the 2017 Honda NHL All-Star Game at Staples Center on January 29, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.
Tampa Bay Lightning v Los Angeles Kings
(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)Nikita Nesterov #89 (l) of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates his first NHL goal at 12:11 of the first period against the Los Angeles Kings and is joined by Nikita Kucherov #86 (r) at the Staples Center on February 16, 2015 in Los Angeles, California.
Tampa Bay Lightning Victory Rally & Boat Parade
(Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning holds the Stanley Cup above his head during the 2020 Stanley Cup Champion rally on September 30, 2020 in Tampa, Florida.
2019 NHL Awards
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)Actor Thomas Middleditch (L), playing the character of NHL hockey commentator Tony Babcock, talks with Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning during the 2019 NHL Awards at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on June 19, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Toronto Maple Leafs v Tampa Bay Lightning
Mike Ehrmann/Getty ImagesNikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates a goal in the second period during a game `az at Amalie Arena on April 21, 2022 in Tampa.
Toronto Maple Leafs v Tampa Bay Lightning
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)Kuch warms up during a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Amalie Arena on October 21, 2023 in Tampa, Florida.
Tampa Bay Lightning Victory Rally & Boat Parade
Mike Ehrmann/Getty ImagesNikita Kucherov celebrates during the Stanley Cup victory rally at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park on July 12, 2021 in Tampa,
Tampa Bay Lightning Victory Rally & Boat Parade
(Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning reacts during the 2020 Stanley Cup Champion rally on September 30, 2020 in Tampa.
2023 NHL All-Star - Portraits
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning poses for a portrait prior to the 2023 NHL All-Star Game at FLA Live Arena on February 04, 2023 in Sunrise, Florida.
Toronto Maple Leafs v Tampa Bay Lightning
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)Sort of smiling? Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates a goal in the second period during a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Amalie Arena on April 21, 2022.
Tampa Bay Lightning v Washington Capitals - Game Three
(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)T.J. Oshie #77 of the Washington Capitals talks with Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena on May 15, 2018 in Washington, DC.
Tampa Bay Lightning v New Jersey Devils
(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)The Tampa Bay Lightning congratulate Nikita Kucherov #86 (C) on his game tying goal at 19:19 of the third period against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on December 19, 2014 in Newark, New Jersey.
Toronto Maple Leafs v Tampa Bay Lightning
Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning, right, celebrates his 100th assist on the season with Brayden Point #21 against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period at the Amalie Arena on April 17, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
