Funny what happens when skill players are matched together.
Formerly exiled to the AHL in light of a trade request made public, Tampa Bay Lightning forward Jonathan Drouin - who entered Game 4 with one assist - recorded a trio of helpers Tuesday, two of which came on power-play goals scored by Nikita Kucherov.
The second assist was of the primary variety, displaying great patience and vision on the part of the 21-year-old.
Kucherov with a power play one-timer.
β #StanleyCup Playoffs (@NHL) April 20, 2016
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(Courtesy: NHL.com)
A closer look at the sequence reveals the confidence Drouin is playing with in his second chance with the Lightning.
With Kucherov in possession of the puck at the top of the far faceoff circle, Drouin popped his stick in the air, calling for a pass.
Having indeed been sent the puck, Drouin squared up and appeared intent on taking a shot at the side of the net left open by Detroit Red Wings goalie Petr Mrazek.
With Mrazek now in position to thwart a Drouin attempt, the young forward flipped the script, deftly sending the puck back to Kucherov.
Kucherov wasted no time rifling it into the back of the Red Wings' net, finishing off the lovely give-and-go.
The tally put Kucherov in the playoff goal-scoring lead (five), and one back of the Lightning's single-series franchise record.
A few more shifts with Drouin should get it done.
