Kucherov was booed heavily during the NHL All-Star Skills competition held in Toronto back in February.
Kucherov was booed heavily during the NHL All-Star Skills competition held in Toronto back in February.
Tampa Bay Lightning star Nikita Kucherov was one of 12 skaters who was selected to take part in the revamped NHL All-Star Skills competition in February. His participation was certainly memorable. But not in a great way.
There were various points where Kucherov appeared to struggle or showed little interest, leading fans in attendance to boo the Russian during his participation.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7LEKUKm7TI[/embed]
It carried into the NHL All-Star Game where Kucherov was booed every time he touched the puck.
"I thought they were saying, 'Kuuuch," Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman said. "That's how we are used to hearing it."
The Lightning defeated the Maple Leafs 4-1 on Wednesday and Hedman spoke to reporters before the game on how he felt the Toronto fans would react to Kucherov's return.
"I don't know how it's going to be today," Hedman told reporters including TSN's Mark Masters. "I don't think he cares too much, to be honest"
Fans didn't boo Kucherov in the game on Wednesday as much of the vitriol from February seemed to be directed by fans who felt that Kucherov wasn't trying during that competition.
Kucherov didn't seem to mind being booed by the end of it.
“I loved it,” Kucherov he told reporters afterwards. “I’m here to have fun and I’m sure the fans enjoyed it. It was a blast to be here around the best players and be on the ice with them.”
Kucherov leads the NHL in the race for the Art Ross Trophy, handed out annually to the player who finishes a season with the most points. His 130 points through games played on April 3 leads Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon by three points.
The Lightning moved to four points back of the Maple Leafs for third place in the Atlantic Division following their win against Toronto on Wednesday and have been one of the hottest teams down the stretch, going 9-1-1 in their last 11 games.
Based on how things shake out, both Toronto and Tampa have the potential to meet in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
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