Kucherov sets up two Point goals as Lightning beat Red Wings 4-2 in first home game since trade request
Kucherov had two assists as Tampa Bay won their seventh straight home game, 4-2 over Detroit, while GM BriseBois insists the star will not be traded.
Nikita Kucherov set up both of Brayden Point's goals as the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Detroit Red Wings 4-2 on Tuesday night. It was the Russian star's first home game since asking the club to trade him. The win in Tampa, which finished on Wednesday morning Malaysia time, was the Lightning's seventh straight at home and took them to 9-3-2 in the Atlantic Division.
Point and Kucherov do the damage early
Tampa Bay took control in the first period. Point scored on the power play from a Kucherov pass and added a second goal 5 minutes 7 seconds later, again set up by Kucherov. Detroit goaltender John Gibson made 11 saves on 13 shots in the opening period and was replaced by Daniil Tarasov at the start of the second.
Anthony Cirelli made it 3-0 in the second period with his fifth goal of the season. Lucas Raymond got Detroit on the board midway through the period. J.T. Compher then scored on the power play less than six minutes into the third to make it 3-2. Detroit pulled its goaltender for an extra attacker for the final three minutes, but Andrei Vasilevskiy held firm with 19 saves. Ryan McDonagh sealed the win with an empty-net goal from his own end with one second left.
A crowd of 19,092 watched at Benchmark International Arena. Tampa Bay has now won the first meeting of the season series with Detroit, who fall to 7-6-3.
The trade request behind the headlines
The game was played under the spotlight of Kucherov's trade request, which became public on Friday, 30 October. ESPN reported that the 33-year-old told his teammates himself on the team plane before a game against Nashville. He also made clear he will not re-sign with Tampa Bay when his contract expires.
Kucherov is in the final season of the eight-year, US$76 million deal he signed in July 2018, which carries an average annual value of US$9.5 million. He can become an unrestricted free agent next summer. ESPN reported that his contract includes a modified no-trade clause that lets him submit a list of 10 teams Tampa Bay can negotiate with.
General manager Julien BriseBois has insisted the club will not move him. He said the Lightning "unequivocally have no intention of trading Nikita."
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Kucherov said the dispute was not about salary. NHL.com reported he said he and BriseBois had only two conversations during four months of contract talks. He said the real issue was poor communication and respect.
Production hasn't dipped
Whatever happens off the ice, Kucherov's form has not suffered. According to ESPN, he has five assists in two games since the request became public. NHL.com put him on 18 points (four goals, 14 assists) in 13 games before Tuesday. Tuesday's two assists took him to 20 points (four goals, 16 assists) in 14 games.
He became Tampa Bay's all-time leading scorer on 24 October, passing Steven Stamkos, and has spent his whole 14-season NHL career with the Lightning. He won the Stanley Cup with them in 2020 and 2021 and has won the Art Ross Trophy three times.
What's next
Tampa Bay hosts the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday, and Detroit hosts the Vegas Golden Knights the same night. Both games start on Thursday evening in North America, which is Friday morning in Malaysia. For now, Kucherov keeps playing for Tampa Bay while the stand-off over his future goes on.
Key takeaways
- Lightning 4-2 Red Wings: Point scored twice and Kucherov had two assists in his first home game since requesting a trade.
- Tampa Bay have won seven straight home games and are 9-3-2.
- Kucherov, 33, is in the last year of a US$76 million contract and has said he will not re-sign.
- GM Julien BriseBois says the club has no intention of trading him.
FAQ
Why did Nikita Kucherov ask for a trade? Kucherov said it was not about money. He cited poor communication and a lack of respect during contract talks, saying he and GM Julien BriseBois spoke only twice in four months.
Will the Lightning trade Kucherov? For now, the club says no. BriseBois said Tampa Bay has no intention of trading him. Kucherov can leave as an unrestricted free agent when his contract ends next summer.
What was the score in Lightning v Red Wings? Tampa Bay won 4-2 on 3 November local time. Point scored twice, Cirelli and McDonagh added goals, and Raymond and Compher replied for Detroit.
Sources: ESPN, NHL.com, Associated Press