Lightning Need More From Nikita Kucherov

The Tampa Bay Lightning are in a 0-2 series hole against the Florida Panthers. Going against the defending Stanley Cup champions was already a daunting task for the Lightning, but this deficit is only making their troubles worse.

What the Lightning need more than anything is a series-saving performance from their MVP candidate and superstar forward, Nikita Kucherov. The Panthers have kept the NHL's leading scorer during the regular season quiet to open this series. Through two games, he has zero goals, one assist, and just three shots on goal. It's a far cry from the Art Ross Trophy numbers he registered this season, and it's coming at the worst possible time for him and his team.

The limited production is working precisely to the Panthers' advantage. The Lightning's success this season is directly due to their impressive offense. They boasted one of the best goal differentials during the regular season (+72), which was second only to the Presidents' Trophy-winning Winnipeg Jets.

During the regular season, Kucherov was unstoppable. Over 78 games, he netted 37 goals, added 84 assists, and finished with 121 points. It was the third consecutive season that he surpassed 110 points. It was also his second consecutive Art Ross Trophy.

The Panthers are succeeding in one central area. Their team defense is smothering the Lightning's top forwards, Kucherov included. Tampa's offense has no time to breathe, let alone make plays in the offensive zone. Because of this, they can't sustain pressure. Kucherov, a player who needs the slightest of margins to create, is being contained.

It's a credit to the Florida defense through the first two games. The only point that the Lightning superstar recorded came on the power play, but even that should be taken with a grain of salt. Tampa is just 1-for-8 with the man advantage through two games.

Whether it's even strength or the power play, the Lightning need more from Kucherov. He's their best player and leader on the ice. If he is unable to reach that next level quickly, the Lightning could be the first to fall victim to the Panthers' title defense.

 Tampa Bay Lightning were dealt some brutal news on Friday night. Star forward Brandon Hagel was given a one-game suspension for his Game 2 hit on Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov. As a result, he won't be in the lineup for the Lightning in a must-win Game 3 against the Florida Panthers.

Game 3 was already going to be a challenge before this Hagel news for the Lightning. This is because they are now playing on the road and are already down 2-0 in the series. However, with this Hagel suspension, things are only going to get more difficult for the Bolts for Game 3.

Hagel is one of the Lightning's top players, and his 2024-25 season effectively demonstrates this. He was simply dominant this campaign for the Lightning, posting 35 goals, 55 assists, 90 points, and a plus-33 rating in 82 games. Losing that offense from their lineup will undoubtedly make things tough for the Lightning.

While it is certainly troubling for the Lightning that Hagel won't be in the lineup for Game 3, they still have the potential to secure a win in the matchup. They have plenty of talent elsewhere, and if they can get their offense going, they could give themselves some life with a win. However, if they can't overcome the loss of Hagel and fall in the series 3-0, it would significantly hurt their chances of moving on to the second round.

It will now be interesting to see how the Lightning perform without Hagel in the lineup for Game 3 from here.