Kucherov has 1 goal in his last three playofff appearances.

[DamonDRW]

it was even visible that he mailed it this and last year

 

[pezpunk]

Is this part of the case that he’s better than Ovechkin?

Ovi had 4 goals in 5 games against the Habs.

 

[catnip]

Not saying he couldn't have scored more, but I swear there are "fans" who'd prefer 5+0 to 1+25. Because goals.

 

[behemolari]

Is this part of the case that he’s better than Ovechkin?

Ovi had 4 goals in 5 games against the Habs.

there is a fine difference between Panthers and Canadiens, Kucherov had to play Panthers this and previous years

 

[pezpunk]

there is a fine difference between Panthers and Canadiens, Kucherov had to play Panthers this and previous years

lol ok

 

[Erika]

I get what you’re saying and I’m not calling him a loser lol. But when it comes to Art/Hart consideration it’s usually between the BIG 4. Among them though he’s been the least noticeable in the playoffs so question is, is Kuch falling off?

McDavid didn't do much against the Florida Panthers last year as well. Kucherov would have destroyed any other teams not named Panthers. And if Tampa had Draisaitl, it would have helped tremendously. Kucherov is like alone in Tampa as the play driver.

It was just a bad matchup and Florida can defend and neutralize any players. Barkov and Bennett can do that. It's just what they do.

 

[Erika]

There is a very good argument that Tampa has a better overall team than both Edmonton and Colorado. You make it seem as Kuch is on an island when he has proven multiple Stanley cup champ teammates… So yeah it’s completely fair to scrutinize Kuch’s performance in the playoffs.

Tampa is not better than Colorado no way. They don't have a Makar caliber puckmoving D

 

[behemolari]

McDavid didn't do much against the Florida Panthers last year as well. Kucherov would have destroyed any other teams not named Panthers. And if Tampa had Draisaitl, it would have helped tremendously. Kucherov is like alone in Tampa as the play driver.

It was just a bad matchup and Florida can defend and neutralize any players. Barkov and Bennett can do that. It's just what they do.

Panthers is literally built neutralise Kucherovs on 1st rounds, they changed team structure and mental after 2022 sweep. Kucherov had 7 points in 4 games in that series, what have changed after that nothing but how Panthers threat their opponent. Kucherov was scoring leader this year (again) so it's not that he does not know how to play anymore. Put anyone in Kucherov boots inc McDavid and he had zero goals too.

 

[landy]

I want to talk shit about being a regular season superstar not showing up when it matters, but my guys are doing the same thing. FML.

 

[Coffee]

I want to talk shit about being a regular season superstar not showing up when it matters, but my guys are doing the same thing. FML.

You’ve gained self awareness.

That’s awesome, Landy

 

[Idiot Stick]

*looking at the box score of the 2024 SCF*

Yeah I'd agree that Draisatl falls far short of being a superstar.

More elbows to the head than goals
elite

 

[aylib]

Yes, he gets more coverage and gets hit a lot, but he also looks very disinterested, floats and refuses to shoot, sticking with his fancy regular season passes. Him and Point don’t have it anymore (playoff drive).
The only good Kuch is the regular season Kuch, not the All Star Kuch/playoff Kuch.

 

[TrKB PAM]

Put anyone in Kucherov boots inc McDavid and he had zero goals too.

No team can guaranteedly prevent a superstar player from scoring goals. That statement is kinda silly (especially since McDavid scored goals against Panthers 10 months ago). Florida definitely has the personnel and buy-in to make it hard for any player.

 

[Howboutthempanthers]

Well, let's look who's he playing against. The last two series have been against a very strong defensive team who would go on to win the Cup. And then the defending champions who are a very strong defensive team. And the opponent is very familiar with him, and have faced him many times before.

 

[GeeoffBrown]

To Calgary: Kucherov
To Tampa: Huberdeau

Has to happen now to make sense! Huberdeau will probably bounce back if he lives somewhere he can drive a Lambo again

 

[behemolari]

No team can guaranteedly prevent a superstar player from scoring goals. That statement is kinda silly (especially since McDavid scored goals against Panthers 10 months ago). Florida definitely has the personnel and buy-in to make it hard for any player.

no its not silly, McDavid had superior support and was held without goal till game 4

 

[Desert Panther]

This is much more a function of the Panthers than of Kucherov. Florida has made it a point of putting a body (usually two) on Kucherov every time he touches the puck and making his life miserable every shift

 

[CactusCap]

there is a fine difference between Panthers and Canadiens, Kucherov had to play Panthers this and previous years

Would you say they’re like 1 or 2 pegs below the defensive prowess of Tortarella’s Rangers teams?

 

[Midnight Judges]

There is more than a small whiff of nationalism in this thread.

 

[NVious]

I think one of the hardest things for an athlete is to stay perpetually hungry, especially in a physical sport when you have some 20-23-25 year olds trying to take your head off.

He'll probably ebb and flow from this point out, sometimes showing up sometimes not. He has won, he's already a legend, so it's just not realistic to expect him to put on his best performance every time.

 

[authentic]

As the title says Kucherov has 1 goal in the 15 games he’s played in the last three post season. No doubt he’s an elite player but is he on the same level as Connor/Leon/Nate as suggested by his regular season production considering those three have been way more productive in the post season?

Connor/Leon/Nate isn’t a level.

Connor

Leon/Nate

Kucherov

I’ve been telling people for a while Kucherov isn’t as good as MacKinnon. Pretty obvious from watching them play.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Kucherov has had a couple monster postseasons and probably should have a Smythe

Compiled points on the pp in the early rounds, he did not deserve the smythe either time. Point probably deserved one more than he did

 

[authentic]

McDavid didn't do much against the Florida Panthers last year as well. Kucherov would have destroyed any other teams not named Panthers. And if Tampa had Draisaitl, it would have helped tremendously. Kucherov is like alone in Tampa as the play driver.

It was just a bad matchup and Florida can defend and neutralize any players. Barkov and Bennett can do that. It's just what they do.

McDavid dragged them back from 3-0 to game 7 posting 3 multi point games in a row and breaking Gretzky’s playoff assist record in the process

 

[authentic]

Compiled points on the pp in the early rounds, he did not deserve the smythe either time. Point probably deserved one more than he did

Point was easily the better player that one run. I swear people here only look at points then call it a day. Point had a lot more goals, better defensively, better play driver and similar points per game.

 

[Erika]

McDavid dragged them back from 3-0 to game 7 posting 3 multi point games in a row and breaking Gretzky’s playoff assist record in the process

Yup, they separated McDavid and Draisaitl to spread their offense.

I swear, people have no idea how important Draisaitl is to that Oilers Team.

Tampa doesn't have that luxury...To have another player of that caliber...

With the Lightning, you neutralize that first line and it's game over. Just like the majority of teams.