Nikita Kucherov is doing his best to carry the Tampa Bay Lightning into a playoff spot.

The red-hot scoring machine became the second NHL player to hit the 40-goal mark this season, and he did so in style, charging into the Montreal zone and rifling a wrist shot past Carey Price.

The Lightning entered Friday's action facing yet another must-win game, and the fact they're in position to steal a berth is a testament to Kucherov's brilliant play down the stretch.

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