Nikita Kucherov will never forget winning back-to-back Stanley Cups. The post-game press conference, though, might be a little blurrier.
Shirtless and smiling from beginning to end, Kucherov, at times with a beer in hand, delivered a candid and wide-ranging address to reporters after the Tampa Bay Lightning's victory -- including a jab at Montreal Canadiens fans.
"The fans in Montreal acted like they won the Stanley Cup last game," Kucherov said. "Are you kidding me? Are you kidding me? Their final was last round."
The Canadiens won Game 4 in overtime at home, forcing what proved to be the Cup-winning Game 5.
Montreal police said they arrested four people and issued 36 tickets following the game.
Kucherov also gave an impassioned vote of support for Andrei Vasilevskiy, who won this year's Conn Smythe Trophy, being the playoff MVP.
"I was telling him every day [during our last Cup run], 'Vasi, you're MVP, you're the best player,'" Kucherov said. "And then last year they gave Vezina to somebody else -- No. 1 bull s---, No. 1 bull s---. Vasi took both Cups.
"I keep telling him, he's the guy, he's the best. He was on his head today and he kept us in the game -- another shutout by him. Remarkable. Can't even tell more."
