Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) against the Ottawa Senators during the first period at Amalie Arena. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Ex-NHL ref Tim Peel: Lightning star Nikita Kucherov 'pouts' about getting hit

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 11/11/22

Tampa Bay Lightning star forward Nikita Kucherov is known for being a dynamic offensive player, but he'd never be mistaken for a player who enjoys the more physical part of the game.

Ex-referee Tim Peel reiterated this fact on the Clearing the Crease podcast.

"Love Kucherov, but he pouts if he gets hit," Peel said. "He slashes. He doesn't like to get hit out there."

"I love Kucherov but he pouts if he gets hit...he doesn't like to get hit out there.”

Legendary #NHL ref @TimCPeel20 joins @JamesCybulski, @Commie22 & @AndrewRaycroft on the launch of Bodog's Clearing the Crease Podcast!

: https://t.co/l6jb06Erw3 #Hockey #ClearingTheCrease pic.twitter.com/SksfZ2iIUi
— Bodog (@BodogCA) November 11, 2022

Peel's comments stemmed from an altercation between Kucherov and Florida Panthers' forward Matthew Tkachuk during a game back in October. Late in overtime, Tkachuk received slashing and roughing minors after basically jumping Kucherov, ultimately leading to the game-winning goal by Tampa's Brayden Point on the ensuing power play.

While Peel seemed to hint that Tkachuk will target Kucherov every time their two squads meet, it's not the soundest of strategies considering the first go-round ended up costing the Panthers two points.

The scuffle with Tkachuk hasn't slowed Kucherov down. If anything, it's lit a fire. Kucherov was goalless over the first six games of the season, but in the eight games since his run-in with Tkachuk, the 29-year-old has posted 14 points (6 goals, 8 assists).

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