That was a great game last night. Kucherov has been getting chances. He just needs to bury them. He will.
He walked a few guys, which is a good sign. I still can't believe he passed out of that chance he created early on. I'm guessing Coop gave it to him a little, or maybe he just finally realized what an idiot he's been, because he seemed more intent on shooting after that.
Hes a good playmaker but he is a much more dangerous as a shooter. Funny how the winning goal is one where Stamkos makes that extra pass but it was the right read. They both just need to let it rip.
I think Kucherov is more dangerous even as a passer when he's in shoot-first mode. When teams are playing him to shoot, it opens up a lot of passing lanes. Right now those lanes aren't open and he's trying them anyway. I think it really is just as simple as shooting more for him, at this point. Well, that, and his passes need to be crisper. This feather-pass BS is burning us over and over.
Yea hes better as a shoot first mentality. I wonder if teams noticed that and are forcing him to pass more.
That might be a small part of it, but it's definitely just him doing it too. He's passed out of more Grade As than anybody on the team so far this year. With the amount of looks this guy gets, he should be up close to 300 shots per year. Right now he's at something like 2.5 shots per game, if that, which isn't acceptable for a shooter of this caliber, especially one who gets himself in the clear a few times per game. It's almost like he'd rather score a highlight reel goal than a regular goal, but he's one of few guys in the league who's proven he can score from just about anywhere. So we need him to take advantage of that.
That might be a small part of it, but it's definitely just him doing it too. He's passed out of more Grade As than anybody on the team so far this year. With the amount of looks this guy gets, he should be up close to 300 shots per year. Right now he's at something like 2.5 shots per game, if that, which isn't acceptable for a shooter of this caliber, especially one who gets himself in the clear a few times per game. It's almost like he'd rather score a highlight reel goal than a regular goal, but he's one of few guys in the league who's proven he can score from just about anywhere. So we need him to take advantage of that.
It's crazy because MSL had such a good shot himself. That was such an underrated part of his game. 40 goal scorer, scored 30 6 other times, and was in the high 20s 3 other times. But this may be hindsight - I don't recall MSL passing up a lot of grade A shots.Thing is both Stamkos and Kucherov have great shots, they're just so dumb on using it. Both either have too much respect for eachother or not enough in themselves. I think a lot of it falls on Stamkos because he's the mentor/leader in that pairing. He has to direct Kuch and tell him exact what he needs, not sure if he's capable of that kind of tough love MSL used to do. Marty was well known for being a "second coach" on the bench, and used to grill Stamkos or other guys for not shooting, it kept Stamkos in check for the better part of 6 years the minute MSL was gone he decided to be a playmaker.