NHL scores 2017: Nikita Kucherov put on a master class in the art of the power play one-timer

If you’re reading this, you likely paid more attention to the big trade bombshell that was dropped on the NHL world on Monday night than the handful of games that played out in typical fashion. Considering two of the three games were quite the nail-biters, it’s kind of a shame, actually.

The one game that wasn’t anxiety-ridden in the third period was decided by three goals in the second period. Nikita Kucherov’s three goals, to be precise. The Lightning piled on the Senators in a 5-1 victory, their third win in four games, thanks to Kucherov’s natural hat trick in the second.

And if you saw one, you saw them all. Really. Kucherov scored the exact same goal three different times, and all of them on the power play, to propel the Lightning to victory.

Not only were the goals identical in style, Kucherov set up at the far circle and just went into autopilot one-timer mode on all three.

And what did the Senators’ defense do about it? Nothing. Nada. Zip. Seriously, look at how much space Kucherov is given each time to make the same play.

You know what they say, Ottawa. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me three times, dishonor on you, your team ... and your cow.

Canadiens 4, Devils 3 (OT)
Lightning 5, Senators 1
Wild 5, Kings 4 (OT)

1. Andrei Vasilevskiy had a very good first game post-Ben Bishop

The mantle of Tampa Bay goaltender has now fallen into the hands of a 22-year-old. Pittsburgh has shown that it can work, and after one game, Andrei Vasilevskiy is on the right track. If Monday is any indication, the Lightning will be just fine in net, as Vasilevskiy saved 39 of 40 shots in the victory.

The offensive outburst gave Vasilevskiy all the cushion he needed, but he was superb in the opening moments of the game to get them there.

2. Ryan White has already made a contribution to the Wild

Also adjusting well to their new surroundings? Ryan White, formally of the Coyotes! In the Wild’s thrilling 5-4 overtime victory against the Kings, it was White of all people to help Minnesota get to that finish. With the Wild and Kings trading leads, White helped the Wild get even two minutes after Jake Muzzin gave Los Angeles their third lead of the night in the second period.

That is exactly what Minnesota needs from their new pickups: depth scoring and clutch goals.

3. The first 40 minutes weren’t necessary in New Jersey

Only one goal was scored in the first two periods between the Devils and Canadiens. In the last 20 minutes? Five goals. The Devils jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the late stages of the first, and it took an entire period for the game to get crazy. Max Pacioretty helped rally Montreal from a two-goal deficit with goals No. 30 and 31, giving him four straight seasons of 30-plus goals.

Alex Galchenyuk capped off the come-from-behind victory in overtime, but the Devils wasted a key offensive output and gained just one point in the wild card race.

Mikael Granlund pulled a beauty on the Kings just 12 seconds into overtime that helped the Wild finish their comeback victory in style.

Jonathan Quick, however, was less than pleased with the turn of events.

Glad to have you back, Quick!