Stamkos says Kucherov scored same ridiculous shootout goal in practice
Nikita Kucherov's insane shootout goal Saturday night was no accident.
The Tampa Bay Lightning forward scored the game-winner in the extra session, faking a deke and letting the puck slide past Buffalo Sabres goaltender Robin Lehner.
Related: Kucherov seals Lightning victory with cheeky shootout goal
Captain Steven Stamkos had seen the goal before, noting on Twitter that the 23-year-old was practicing the move during the week.
Wow !! He did that twice this week in practice. pic.twitter.com/k1zo0zqsqi
— Steven Stamkos (@RealStamkos91) March 5, 2017
Head coach Jon Cooper reluctantly celebrated the daring display.
"Brought the school yard to the big stage and that was school yard ... but you better score on it," Cooper said, according to Erik Erlendsson of LightningInsider.com.
Even Lehner couldn't help but tip his hat.
"He did it on purpose," Lehner said, according to Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News. "What can I say? Bad by me, pretty sick by him."