Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov’s Game 7 legacy just got worse after Canadiens stunner

Once again, the Tampa Bay Lightning were one of the best clubs in the Eastern Conference this season, earning home ice advantage in their opening round series against the Montreal Canadiens.

However, their home-ice advantage didn’t work in their favor by the time the series was all said and done. The Canadiens, who took series leads of 1-0 and 3-2 thanks to wins at Benchmark International Arena, put the final nail in their coffin on Sunday evening with a 2-1 victory, eliminating the Lightning and advancing to the second round for the first time since 2021.

There was history made during the contest as well for Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov, who had a productive campaign yet again but wasn’t able to come through when it mattered most. Kucherov failed to register a point in a Game 7 for the seventh time in his NHL career, according to Stat Muse.

Kucherov finished the regular season having scored 44 goals while adding a whopping 86 assists, but managed only a single goal during the series. It was also his first goal in the Stanley Cup Playoffs since their first round loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2023.

Meanwhile, the Canadiens have officially set a date with the Buffalo Sabres, who defeated the Boston Bruins in the opening round. They also made history by not only failing to register a shot on goal in a playoff period for the first time in their history, but they also became the first NHL team to win a Game 7 despite getting only nine shots on goal total.

It’s going to be another long summer for Kucherov and the Lightning, who were without captain and top defenseman Victor Hedman.

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