Nikita Kucherov says he didn't learn from playoff suspension
The 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs weren’t kind to the NHL’s best team.
After enjoying a record-setting campaign, the Tampa Bay Lightning were swept out of the post-season by the upstart Columbus Blue Jackets.
Along the way, Lightning star and likely Hart Trophy winner Nikita Kucherov was suspended for Game 3 after a dirty hit on Blue Jackets defenceman Markus Nutivaara. As a result of his actions, Kucherov left his team in a terrible position when it needed him most.
Maybe the Russian winger learned something from his suspension, right? Apparently not.
Asked whether he took any lessons from his one-game ban, the 25-year-old gave a one-word answer: “No.”
Updated with video: I asked Nikita Kucherov if he learned anything form his suspension, "No." #GoBolts #TBLightning #NHL pic.twitter.com/hr8g6hovb1
— Justin Granit WTSP (@JustinWTSP) April 18, 2019
Kucherov and the rest of the Lightning now face a longer-than-expected off-season and will have plenty of time to reflect on what went wrong. Heck, maybe they’ll even learn some things once the initial sting wears off.
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