Sunday, 4 a.m.
Who knows how many goals Nikita Kucherov will score as a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning? Who knows how long he'll be in town?
Despite the Bolts saying they won't trade Kucherov, the rumors continue to be filled of him leaving the Bolts. Even after 406 career goals (and 54 in the post-season), the drumbeat will not cease.
Kucherov's latest goal, however, will go down as a memorable one. It allowed the Bolts to win a 4-3 game in overtime against the Minnesota Wild, a game they trailed in 2-0 early in the first period.
There were a lot of things to suggest this might not be the Lightning's night. They had been 3-3 in their last six games. They were playing in Minnesota, a particularly tough place for them. Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy did not play.
Then there was the early deficit. The Bolts gave up two goals in the game's first three minutes. They fell behind 3-1 early in the third period.
But the Lightning scrapped back. Jake Guentzel scored two goals. Charle-Edouard D'Astous scored a tying goal to force overtime.
Then, 3:23 into overtime, Kucherov scored.
Goaltender Dennis Hildeby stopped 19 of 22 shots for the win.
The Bolts play in Winnipeg against the Jets tonight at 6 at the Canada Life Centre.