Kucherov assists twice as Lightning beat Red Wings in his return to home ice

Nikita Kucherov returned to Tampa Bay's home ice with two assists Tuesday night as the Lightning defeated the Detroit Red Wings 4-2. Brayden Point scored twice, while Anthony Cirelli and Ryan McDonagh also contributed goals to extend Tampa Bay's home winning streak to seven games.

The appearance was Kucherov's first at home since asking the Lightning to trade him. The reigning NHL MVP received a largely warm reception, with supporters displaying signs backing him along the glass during pregame warmups. His two assists brought his total to five in the two games since he informed the team of his request.

Both of Kucherov's assists came on Point's first-period goals. On a power play, Point put Tampa Bay ahead after receiving a centering pass from Kucherov in the low slot. Although Point did not connect fully with the shot, it beat Detroit goaltender John Gibson. Another Kucherov pass led to Point's second goal 5:07 later, a shot that went above Gibson's glove.

Detroit changed goaltenders for the second period, replacing Gibson with Daniil Tarasov after Gibson allowed two goals on 13 shots. Cirelli then increased the Lightning's advantage to 3-0, lifting a shot into the upper left corner past Tarasov for his fifth goal.

The Red Wings began reducing the deficit midway through the second period when Lucas Raymond scored from the left point against Andrei Vasilevskiy. J.T. Compher made it 3-2 less than six minutes into the third period with a power-play goal, driving a shot from the right circle beneath Vasilevskiy's left pad.

Detroit removed its goaltender for an extra attacker over the final three minutes and pressured Vasilevskiy, but could not draw level. McDonagh settled the result with one second remaining, sending the puck down the ice and into the empty net.

Kucherov explained Monday that his trade request stemmed from feeling disrespected over a lack of communication with general manager Julien BriseBois. He said money was not the issue and that the two had spoken only twice in four months. According to Kucherov, BriseBois ultimately told him he was free to leave on July 1.

Kucherov is playing the final season of the eight-year, $76 million contract he signed in 2018. Since signing that agreement, he has helped Tampa Bay capture two Stanley Cups, topped the NHL in scoring three times and won the Hart Trophy for the 2018-19 and 2025-26 seasons.