Lightning's last 15 years is not the norm

Growing up in Moscow, Russia, Nikita Kucherov dreamed of playing in a vaguely known foreign organization he had only heard about: the National Hockey League. He idolized Russian players like Sergei Fedorov, part of Detroit's "Russian Five" in the 1990s. Today, Kucherov is one of the league's premier players, setting a standard for future players, whether they're from Russia, North America, or anywhere there is a sheet of ice and a dream to play hockey, and play it well.

Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov is once again on the cusp of greatness. The two-time Hart Trophy winner needs one point to eclipse Steven Stamkos as the Tampa Bay Lightning's all-time leading scorer. It's never been a matter of if; it's always been a matter of when.

Image Credit: Michelle Gordon | Thunderstruck Sports Once again, the Atlantic Division is shaping up as possibly the best division in the National Hockey League. It's a division that always seems to be full of surprises. No one was predicting the Buffalo Sabres to finish first last season. Will we be more accurate this year, or will this be another year of the unexpected? Here's how our staffers see it: Patrick Williams– writer: 1. Tampa Bay Lightning– Why: I'm still not bett

The Tampa Bay Lightning found themselves in an all-too-familiar situation after Sunday evening's loss to the Montreal Canadiens in overtime: in an early series deficit. But don't throw the baby out with the bathwater quite yet. It's only the first game, and there's still a great deal of hockey left to be played.