Kucherov

Lightning having trouble stopping opponents

January 4, 2017 general

Wednesday, 3 a.m. The Tampa Bay Lightning, still spinning its wheels, finds itself in desperate need of an improved defense. The Lightning gave up a half-dozen goals (one on an empty-netter) in a 6-4 loss to Winnipeg Tuesday night. The Bolts have now given up three or more goals in 10 of their last 12 […]

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Ask Gary: Can the Lightning sign Kucherov?

September 17, 2016 College Sports in Florida

(Each week, the readers take over GarySheltonsports.com and play Ask Gary. They send in a question, or a couple, on Thursday night or Friday morning and we all talk about the world of sports.  Think of it as a radio show where you don’t have to be on hold. Join us and ask a question, make a comment […]

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Kucherov making a name for himself in playoffs

May 23, 2016 general

Monday, 6 a.m. Once, you looked at Marty St. Louis the way you look at Nikita Kucherov. He, too, had the magic. He, too, had the touch. Once, you looked at Steven Stamkos the way you look at Kucherov. He, too, carried the hope of this team. He, too, was the difference-maker. Once, you looked […]

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Lightning captures one of its most memorable wins

May 4, 2016 general

Wednesday, 6 a.m. There was the night Marty St. Louis forced Game Seven of the Stanley Cup with an overtime goal. There was the game Tyler Johnson scored with one second to play. There was Ruslan Fedotenko, who scored the winning two goals as the Lightning won the Stanley Cup. There were all those wins […]

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Could Kucherov replace Stamkos on Bolts?

January 22, 2016 general

Friday, 6 a.m. More and more, you are used to seeing his hands in the air and his teammates contratulating him. More and more, you are used to seeing the fans cheer his name as the scoreboard changes. He is Nikita Kucherov. And, maybe, just maybe, he is the next Steven Stamkos. Get a load […]

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Hot Lightning beats first-place Panthers

January 17, 2016 general

Sunday, 8:59 p.m. There has been some luck involved. A puck goes off a skate into the goal. A team wins a three-on-three overtime. But slowly, the victories are beginning to add up for the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Lightning won its fifth straight game, its longest streak of the season, by beating the first-place […]

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Lightning loses lead in third, falls in shootout

December 28, 2015 general

Monday, 11:43 p.m. For 32 seconds, the Tampa Bay Lightning had things going their way. They had just scored the tying goal, and only 21 seconds later, they scored the go-ahead goal against the Montreal Canadiens. Things were going according to plan. Then, 32 seconds later, Montreal tied things up on a goal by Dale […]

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Tampa Bay keeps losing games…and players

December 12, 2015 general

Saturday, 10:53 p.m. Sometimes, it’s hard to see which is happening faster — the Tampa Bay Lightning losing games or losing players. The Lightning dropped a 2-1 decision to the Washington Caps Saturday night, and their record fell to 14-13-3. The team has now lost 67 man-games to injury this year. “I’m speechless this keeps […]

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For a night, the Lightning looks familiar

December 11, 2015 general

Friday, 12:38 a.m. Okay, no one speaks too soon. But we might have a sighting at the elusive Tampa Bay Lightning. Finally. The Lightning certainly looked enough like last year’s team in a 4-1 bashing of Ottawa Saturday night. Nikita Kucherov was scoring, and the Triplets were reunited, and Ben Bishop was on his game. […]

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It’s time Stamkos was a great scorer once again

June 15, 2015 general

Monday, 8:58 a.m. It has been a very long time since he was a very dangerous player. At this point, no one is sure he can still lift his arms in celebration. Steven Stamkos has not scored since May. That blistering shot of his has been AWOL for seven straight games now. At a time […]

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