"Dirtiest player of his generation", "Unsportmanlike scumbag": NHL fans rip into Nikita Kucherov for dangerously tripping Michael Rasmussen

NHL fans are upset after Nikita Kucherov tripped Michael Rasmussen during Saturday’s game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Detroit Red Wings.

Rasmussen was skating toward the empty net when Kucherov had tripped him. He fell into the net, and his right ankle hit the goal post. Rasmussen needed help to leave the ice and get to the dressing room.

The incident has raised questions about Kucherov’s reputation. Gino Hard shared the video on X (formerly Twitter), writing:

"Nikita Kucherov trips up Michael Rasmussen going for the empty netter and Rasmussen leaves the ice in some discomfort"

Following this, NHL fans reacted on X.

"Quietly one of the dirtiest players in the NHL," a fan said.

Another pointed out his skill but still called him “unsportsmanlike” and “a dirty player.”

"Kucherov is a dirty player. Talented as hell, skilled beyond belief most nights but just an unsportsmanlike sc*mbag."

"Kucherov will eventually get the karma he deserves... Far and beyond the dirtiest player of his generation," another fan commented.

Many fans criticized Nikita Kucherov for the trip. Take a look at some more reactions from fans on X:

"Not so quietly. This guy constantly does cheap crap like that," one user said.

"Shocker. Maybe he should tell his buddy not to miss the open net instead of being a dirty little c**t," a fan said.

"Nikita’s little bi*ch a** is getting it next time we see them. F**king weasel. He’s really good tho," a fan tweeted.

---

Nikita Kucherov's point streak ends as Lightning fall 2-0 to Red Wings

The Tampa Bay Lightning lost 2-0 to the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday. Cam Talbot made 28 saves for his 33rd NHL shutout.

The first goal came at 9:55 of the second period. Marco Kasper deflected J.T. Compher's pass off the post and into the net to make it 1-0.

Talbot made key saves throughout the game, stopping Brayden Point’s shot with 1:53 left. The puck was found in his leg pad after officials checked.

The Lightning had chances but missed the net. Victor Hedman missed an open net, and Nikita Kucherov hit the post. Kucherov's 11-game point streak ended. Michael Rasmussen scored into the empty net at 19:32 to seal the win for Detroit.

Tampa Bay's coach Jon Cooper said that the team missed opportunities.

“We need to put the puck in the open net,” Cooper said (via NHL.com).

“Let’s be honest – that’s what we missed. The goalie made some spectacular saves, but we had two six-by-fours where it was shocking to miss."

Despite 29 saves from Andrei Vasilevskiy, the Lightning couldn’t score.