TheDaysOf 04
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http://tbo.com/sports/lightning/bolts-kucherov-becoming-king-of-breakaway-20140118
Seemingly once per game, the crafty Kucherov takes a pass up the middle for a one-on-one chance against the goaltender, and he’s become the Wizard of Breakaway Lane.
“We kind of joke around, because it’s almost like it’s a skill for him to be able to find himself to get open and have that many breakaways,” linemate Nate Thompson said. “We joke around that he’s hiding in the visiting bench or coming out of the penalty box or wherever he’s coming from, but he finds his way.”
“He’s usually good for one or two of those a game, so you have to know when he’s on the ice, because something like that might happen,” Gudas said. “Sometimes it’s like, ‘Oh, OK, him again.’ So, that’s how it’s going to be. He’s very good at that.”
“He’s so fast and so sneaky that you have to be aware when he is on the ice,” Hedman said. “He’s extraordinary, how he can find those open seams.”
“He’s a special talent, and that’s why you can use words like innate or ‘it’ factor or all those adjectives, that’s what separates those guys,” Cooper said.
“But that’s just one facet of his game, and he can’t rely on that. It’s great to have, because it separates you from other players, but you still have to back-check hard, play (defense) and have awareness away from the puck. That’s what he is learning right now, and that’s the stuff that will keep him in the league, not the ‘innate’ ability to get a breakaway. ... But it is nice to have a guy on your team that can do that.”