Latest news with #ArtRoss
Edmonton Journal
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
It took a while, but Oilers are masters of the secret playoff formula
Article content Three shutouts in four games by a team that boasts two Art Ross winners, three 50-goal scorers, three 100-point players and one of the most productive post-season defencemen of all time? That is a deadly mix. 'We're a different team than we have been in years past, probably not as run and gun as years past, but we can play defence,' said Oilers captain Connor McDavid, who has to keep reminding people that this is not a new development. You don't make it to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final unless you've figured out and mastered the art of playoff hockey. 'Forwards are coming back really hard, everyone is selling out blocking shots,' said McDavid. 'It's that time of year, that's what it takes. It's fun to watch. 'And when we defend and everyone is bought in like that, we know we're going to find enough offence somewhere.' It's not always there in the regular season. The Oilers were a pretty sloppy group this year and the biggest question mark heading into Round 1 was whether they could keep enough pucks out of their net, especially without their best defensive defenceman in the lineup.
New York Times
29-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Where is Nikita Kucherov? How Panthers silenced Lightning's star
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Lightning are on the verge of losing their fourth straight playoff series. Nikita Kucherov's performance — specifically his inability to score goals — is a big reason for that. The NHL's leading scorer has gone 14 consecutive postseason games without a goal. He's also gone 10 straight playoff games against the Florida Panthers without scoring. Advertisement Kucherov has only two goals in his past 23 postseason games. Shutting down Kucherov is no small feat. He has more scoring titles than Sidney Crosby or Alex Ovechkin. He snatched three Art Ross trophies in the heart of Connor McDavid's prime. Kucherov still has four assists in the four Battle of Florida games — three of them came in Game 3, Tampa Bay's only victory — but the superstar has looked frustrated throughout the series and, in general, has been contained. What's the secret to shutting him down? 'There is no secret,' Panthers coach Paul Maurice insisted on Tuesday afternoon. 'If there were, we would have figured it out three years ago.' Maurice also said that, while the Panthers respect Kucherov, the Panthers don't isolate on him — just like they didn't isolate on McDavid in last season's Stanley Cup Final. Rather, the Panthers just play defense the way they play defense. Maybe that is the secret. 'You're talking about an outlier,' Maurice said of Kucherov. 'His pass selection and his shot selection are different than anyone else. I don't think there's anyone else in the game like that.' Kucherov, Maurice explained, tends to make passes (forehand and backhand) that other players typically don't make. Call it hockey IQ or creativity, but it's Kucherov's gift. There is a versatility and a sneakiness to his offensive attack. So, yes, he's an outlier. 'McDavid is an outlier, that speed,' Maurice continued, comparing two of hockey's great players. 'But we don't do anything specific.' That's because what they do works against almost every great player. Simply put, Florida plays smothering defense and has such size on its blue line that star players rarely thrive against the Panthers. Maurice admitted as much. 'Our entire game is predicated on our ability to close,' Maurice said. 'We don't have a lot of stretch in our game. It's all about gap.' Advertisement The Panthers are never shy about being physical, and it doesn't matter who the opposition may be. According to Sam Reinhart, the situation doesn't matter, either. 'The style we are trying to play, it doesn't matter what the core is,' the Panthers forward said. 'We're trying to play aggressive, take away their time and space. Stay on our toes.' Kucherov found out the hard way in the very beginning of this series. During the first period of Game 1, Kucherov was battling with a Florida player along the boards when Matthew Tkachuk leveled him with a high hit. Tkachuk received a penalty, but he sent a crystal clear message. Florida players harass Kucherov regularly. When an opportunity to hit Kucherov presents itself, Florida's surly defense takes it. The Panthers' cause is helped because they employ some of the game's greatest defensive forwards — players such as Aleksander Barkov, Brad Marchand and Reinhart. 'Everybody has a game plan,' Maurice said. However, the Stanley Cup-winning coach said, that doesn't guarantee success in shutting down players. Maurice then referenced his own star player, Barkov, who also has been held off the score sheet. 'Barkov hasn't scored a goal yet, but I wouldn't consider him locked down,' Maurice said. 'The top-end guys end up scoring at some point.' Usually, yes. Against Florida, of course, that isn't always the case. And it certainly hasn't been the case for Kucherov. Unlike Barkov, Kucherov needs to pile up points to help the Lightning win. Barkov is so sensational defensively that he could go without a point in a series and still help the Panthers succeed. While Kucherov's greatness isn't completely confined to points and goals, he ultimately is one of hockey's greatest players because of his extraordinary offense. Once upon a time, he was also a dominant playoff performer. Advertisement In Tampa Bay's remarkable three-year run from 2020-22, Kucherov led scoring in the postseason, putting up an astonishing 91 points in 70 games. So, he's done it before. But he hasn't done it in three consecutive postseasons, and he certainly hasn't had success against the mighty Panthers. Not only is Kucherov without a goal in this series, but he's registered just five shots on goal in four games. He has one shot apiece in each of the three previous games. He was especially ineffective in the third period in Game 4, when Tampa Bay was given a five-minute power play while leading 2-1. Kucherov couldn't locate his customary passing lanes and looked especially frustrated during that power play, slamming the bench door when he finally made his way back there. Florida is giving him no time and is bullying him at every opportunity. Even when he doesn't have the puck, Kucherov is getting a nudge to the back or a slash to the back of the leg. Maurice warns that players such as Kucherov are liable to erupt at any time. Given his offensive gifts and talented teammates, Kucherov is overdue. Nothing about his performance, though, has looked threatening. 'You never have them locked down or out of a series,' Maurice said. So far, that hasn't been the case. • The Panthers are awaiting word on a potential suspension to Aaron Ekblad, who has a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety later on Tuesday because of his hit on Brandon Hagel. • Florida defenseman Niko Mikkola has been fined $5,000 for a boarding infraction in Game 4 — he was given a five-minute major and was ejected from the game — but will not be suspended. • Florida held an optional practice on Tuesday before heading back to Tampa for Game 5, which is scheduled for a 7:35 p.m. ET puck drop at Amalie Arena on Wednesday. • The Lightning, with their backs against the wall in a 3-1 hole, did not practice on Tuesday.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Can Nathan MacKinnon win the Art Ross trophy?
As much of the discussion on individual award trophies has centered around the Hart for Nathan MacKinnon and Norris for Cale Makar, there a little matter of another business to settle before the regular season concludes. That is the race for the Art Ross Trophy presented to the player who led the league in points for the regular season. Currently there are only two candidates in this race, Colorado Avalanche's own superstar center Nathan MacKinnon and Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov. The battle has heated up recently with each presently tied at 116 points. For quite a while MacKinnon had a healthy lead in points and was challenged only by Edmonton Oilers' Leon Draisaitl but his injury now puts Draisaitl 10 points back and he isn't certain to return to the ice before playoffs begin. Kucherov getting hot and scoring 20 points in his last 10 games has made this a two-horse race, which is where we stand today. Advertisement The chase for the Art Ross is interesting for several reasons, one being this is one of the few trophies MacKinnon hasn't won yet. Second, voters might look to the league's leader in points when determining their Hart trophy votes for league's MVP and considering Kucherov won the Art Ross last year but not Hart it could be something on their minds. Either way, the race is something fun to follow and make the last few regular season games interesting. The remaining schedule for MacKinnon: 4/10 vs. Vancouver 4/12 at LA Kings 4/13 at Anaheim The remaining schedule for Kucherov: 4/11 vs. Detroit 4/13 vs. Buffalo 4/15 vs. Florida 4/17 at NY Rangers * What are your predictions? Let us know in the comments below!
New York Times
21-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Lightning ride star power into Panthers rematch: ‘The Battle of Florida never disappoints'
TAMPA, Fla. — Spend a few minutes around the Tampa Bay Lightning, and you can sense Jon Cooper's team knows something the rest of us don't. Call it quiet confidence. Call it playoff gamesmanship. Call it knowledge. Whatever it is, it's palpable. Fittingly, perhaps, the Lightning and the Florida Panthers don't begin their series until nearly 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday — a main event if there's ever been one. Advertisement 'The Battle of Florida,' Cooper, the Lightning coach, said with a smile, 'never disappoints.' That's true, but plenty of people were disappointed in Tampa last season. Unlike prior playoff matchups where the mighty Lightning took care of business against the up-and-coming Panthers, it was Paul Maurice's Florida team that rose to the occasion last spring. The Panthers made quick work of the Lightning, beating them in five. One of these two teams has played in each of the past five Stanley Cup finals. There is nothing particularly braggadocious about this Lightning team, but one by one, they simply smile when they're asked about their recent play. In many hockey circles, the Lightning — not the defending-champion Panthers — are the favorites in this series. The Panthers have the look of a weary team and face questions surrounding the availability of forward Matthew Tkachuk. The Lightning, on the other hand, are fresh, healthy and surging. Cooper's team is on a 7-2-3 run entering the postseason. And make no mistake, the memory of the loss to Florida last spring remains omnipresent even if the Lightning prefer to downplay it. Their coach doesn't downplay anything. 'Twelve months is a long time to wait,' he said. 'And you never know if you're going to get back. These guys are looking forward to it.' While the Panthers are a blend of tenacity and two-way brilliance, the Lightning are special because of pure talent. One stroll through the Tampa Bay locker room showcases the name plates of future Hall of Famers and superstars in every direction. Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy has, somewhat under the radar, bounced back from an uncharacteristically average season to reclaim a spot near the top of the goaltending world. Nikita Kucherov, right in the heart of Connor McDavid's prime, has won a second consecutive scoring title and now owns more Art Ross trophies than Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin or Evgeni Malkin. Advertisement Defenseman Victor Hedman, another Hall of Fame lock, still patrols the Tampa Bay blue line with few equals. The list of talented performers goes on and on. Brandon Hagel just put up a career-high 35 goals and 90 points and is on the verge of NHL stardom. Brayden Point, another player who doesn't always receive considerable attention because of his more decorated teammates, quietly went about his business again this season, putting up 42 goals and 82 points. Anthony Cirelli, one of the NHL's finest defensive forwards, has become a true standout, producing 27 goals. Then, there is Jake Guentzel. In his first season with the Lightning, Guentzel did what he does, putting up 41 goals and 82 points. Instead of bringing former captain Steven Stamkos back, the Lightning threw their money at Guentzel instead. It paid off. Among those who have played in 35 or more Stanley Cup playoff games, Guentzel ranks eighth all-time in goals per game, trailing only Mario Lemieux, Mike Bossy, Maurice Richard, Cam Neely, Wayne Gretzky, Nathan MacKinnon and Leon Draisaitl. Now, it's his time of year. 'Absolutely no one was surprised by what he brought,' Point said. 'I knew what we were getting in him because I had played enough against him over the years. He's just so, so smart. Sees the ice better than other players. He fit right in.' If star power is the path to a championship, plan the parade in Tampa already. 'I guess you could say that we have multiple No. 1 lines,' defenseman Nick Perbix said. Of course, it takes a bit more than that. Tampa Bay has allowed just 39 goals in its past 20 games. Much of this can be attributed to Vasilevskiy's brilliance. Cooper, however, realizes that championships aren't won without playing a certain brand of defense. The NHL's longest-tenured coach likes what he sees in that regard. Advertisement 'What happens with us is that scoring becomes a big priority early in the year,' he explained. 'If we aren't going to defend, we aren't going to go anywhere. Halfway through the year, we got better at it.' While there is a healthy dislike between these two teams, Tampa Bay owns plenty of respect for the defending champions. Cooper made that very clear. These teams are especially familiar with one another, but no one has forgotten what happened last season and how that may have changed the psychology of the rivalry moving forward. 'We played Florida last year,' Cooper said. 'They weren't the Cup champs. The mentality is different in so many ways. On our side, we're one more year removed from being the champ. And we're playing the team that beat us.' And yet, you can't help but notice that these Lightning feel a little different. 'I think everybody is ready,' Kucherov said. 'It's a special time of year.' It's the time of year Tampa Bay once owned. 'There's a lot of guys in this room who know what it takes,' Perbix said. 'That, in itself, gives you the quiet confidence that you see around here. I mean, there's a lot of belief in this room. A lot. We know what kind of potential we have.' The Panthers are naturally the more flamboyant of these combatants. When you employ Tkachuk and Brad Marchand, you're not losing that contest. But flamboyance doesn't win championships. Substance does. The Panthers are also oozing in that. So, too, is their biggest rival. Don't expect Tampa Bay to get into a war of words with the Panthers or engage in any mind games about Tkachuk's availability. Let Florida be the thunder, they figure. They'll just be the Lightning. 'We can't control who's going to play or what's going on with their group,' Point said. 'We're going to control us. And we'll be ready tomorrow.' Advertisement • Cooper said he expects all of his players to be healthy enough to play in Game 1, other than Oliver Bjorkstrand, who has already been ruled out for the series. • While there is no official word on Tkachuk's status, the Florida star practiced for a second consecutive day on the top Florida power play and on the Panthers' second line, creating the expectation that he will be in the lineup when the series begins. (Photo of Victor Hedman: Mike Carlson / Getty Images)
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Naz Reid gets the And-1
NHL Art Ross Race Heats Up: Will MacKinnon Or Kucherov Record The Most Points? It's down to the wire, but Nikita Kucherov may have the upper hand over Nathan MacKinnon once again in the chase for the NHL's 2025 Art Ross Trophy. 1:08 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
