Nikita Kucherov is Red Hot

The start of the season for Tampa Bay Lightning Winger Nikita Kucherov has been nothing short of spectacular. Through the first dozen plus games Kucherov is red hot and leading the NHL in points. And he's doing so by dominating both assists and goals. Kucherov ranks second in goals this season with 10, only trailing Toronto Center Auston Matthews who has 13. And he is tied for 7th in the NHL with 12 assists. Lightning teammate Victor Hedman lead the Bolts with 13 assists on the season. This year is a sort of strange one for Tampa Bay with the future of team Capitan Steven Stamkos up in the air. But thanks to Nikita Kucherov the Lightning are currently 2nd in the Atlantic Division only trailing Boston by 5 points. As long as Nikita Kucherov is red hot the Lightning will be just fine.

November will present a challenge for Tampa Bay. All-World Goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy is still a few weeks away from returning to game action. Reports have been the Russian net-minder is targeting Thanksgiving week for his return. Good news for Tampa Bay is they have a relatively manageable schedule leading up to Vasilevskiy's return to the pipes. Five of the next seven games for the Tampa Bay Lightning are home at Amalie Arena. The Blots are 4-0-2 this season on home ice. No matter who the Lightning are facing as long as Nikita Kucherov is red hot the Bolts have a fighting chance against anyone. Here are some of the best plays from Nikita Kucherov this season.

Are you kidding me?! There isn't a net-minder on the face f the planet that could stop that shot. And at 22 seconds into the game it was the quickest goal Kuch has scored in the NHL.

Oppositions might want to keep a man a little closer to Kuch... especially when he's approaching the right circle.

Okay so the play isn't the most spectacular. But a 5-point game needs recognition. So here it is.

The goals are great. But the ability to slow the game down and put it on a tee for a teammate is what truly separates Kuch from the rest.