Nikita Kucherov Gets Widely Criticized For Dirty Play

This season, the battle for playoff spots in the Eastern Conferenceis shaping up to be one of the most competitive in NHL history, as there are only five points between the third and seventh positions in the Atlantic Division, with teams starting to reach the 50-games mark.

Yesterday's clash between the Atlantic Division rivals Detroit Red Wings and Tampa Bay Lightning was packed with action and intensity.

Notably, the Lightning defenseman Emil Lilleberg was summoned to a suspension hearing by the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety for interference on Red Wings' J.T. Compher:

However, another incident is raising eyebrows. This one involved the Lightning's star Nikita Kucherov.

Indeed, Kucherov was severely criticized for a dirty play in the final minute of the third period.

Detroit was leading 1-0 over the Lightning with around 30 seconds left in the game when the Lightning decided to remove their goaltender at the expense of a sixth skater.

Then, the Red Wings forward Michael Rasmussen got away with the puck and was alone in front of the empty net, but Kucherov chased him down and made him fall as the puck crossed the goal line.

Check out how it went down in the video below:

This is the kind of dirty play that is easily avoidable.

Once again, Kucherov is showing that he doesn't respect anyone.

On X, many analysts and fans have been criticizing Kucherov, the Lightning organization, and the NHL:

Surprisingly, the NHL hasn't announced further punishment for the Lightning forward, leaving many fans questioning the league's consistency when it comes to disciplining its star players, especially after Connor McDavid's three-game suspension.