Sporting News' NHL Finishers Series explores the many different ways hockey's finest goal-scorers exploit the tiny chinks in the armor of today’s defensive systems and goaltending. Nikita Kucherov, the NHL's leading scorer, does it by deception.

Anyone who wasn’t already marveling at Nikita Kucherov’s scoring talents … well, they just weren’t paying attention. At the All-Star Game, Kucherov did something so impressive even those who had slept through the first half of the season couldn’t have failed to notice.

It’s the kind of goal that makes the arena gasp and leaves you wondering what just happened. It’s exactly the kind of goal that best characterizes Kucherov’s brand of talent.

For those who are wondering if this was even intentional, and who refuse to believe Kucherov himself or his Lightning teammates, I refer you to this shootout goal from March.

TRADE TRACKER: Rumors, reported deals before the 2018 deadline

A debate about the intentionality of that goal also raged online, but anyone who still believes he got lucky bobbling the puck — twice, in exactly the same way — isn’t someone whose judgment you’re going to want to trust going forward.

There aren’t many players who would be willing, let alone able, to credibly attempt a move like this; unless you have all the tools, it simply isn’t going to work. You need a deathly accurate shot with a quick release to make the goalie respect the initial threat; liquid-smooth hands to finesse the follow-through perfectly; and the steel nerve it takes to release the puck weakly and trust it to simply slide slowly into the net.

Let’s see how it works.

Can we all agree to call this The Kucherov from now on? OK. So, The Kucherov is essentially a fake fake shot. Because he begins on his forehand, he presents a very credible shot threat. Because he comes in with speed, the puck is already traveling at a good clip toward the net. This matters, because when he initially fakes the shot, he can’t push it too quickly toward the net; it has to be going just slightly faster than he is skating, or else there wouldn’t be time for the goaltender to move out of the way.

Kucherov has to sell the shot well enough to make the goaltender go down. If the goalie doesn’t bite on the fake, he’ll be able to re-adjust more easily once he realizes what’s happening. There’s also a psychological factor in play here: having bitten on the fake shot, the goaltender inevitably becomes less patient, more anxious to quickly pick up the move to the backhand across the crease. So, he’s primed to follow Kucherov as he travels across the net, and pushes over to do so. His stick position and bottom coverage is sub-optimal for a moment as he adjusts, expecting a backhand shot in a moment, rather than any instant threat.

FINISHERS: Connor McDavid and the elements of speed

Of course, the threat is absolutely instant: Kucherov’s initial fake shot turns out to be a fake fake shot, of sorts. The momentum of the puck from the initial carry is enough to see it past the stick and pads of the goaltender, gliding unopposed into the net. Essentially, instead of shooting the puck around the goaltender, Kucherov uses his version of the Force to move the goaltender around the puck.

Of course, this move isn’t a practical way to score goals in many situations; it’s just an excellent display of the skills that make Kucherov so effective.

Looking at the more mundane manifestations of his skillset, you can see how deadly a combination of quickness and coordination can be when they’re matched with impressive power.

There aren’t many players in the league with a more effective one-timer. Mike Condon has little chance on this goal.

Did I say goal? Sorry, I meant goals. Kucherov scored these three carbon copies in a single game. Like Ovechkin’s legendary shot from the opposite side, just because you know what’s coming doesn’t mean you can do anything about it.

MORE: Nikita Kucherov's case to join Crosby-McDavid-Karlsson discussion

There are a number of players in the NHL who possess powerful, accurate shots with impressive releases. The trouble for many of them is finding a clear lane to the net, especially at even strength.

Kucherov has more success than most because he is able to get his shot away while moving to the outside around a defender without needing to pull the puck close to his body before the release. This is what I mean.

The release is so fast you might miss it while watching in real time, which is precisely what Jake Allen does. Don’t blame him, though. Kucherov extends his arms somewhat as he moves to skirt the defender, giving the puck a clear path to the net while simultaneously hiding his release from the goaltender.

For those of you who still want to believe that Kucherov just lucks into these plays, watch him use the same maneuver against Connor Hellebuyck.

A goaltender who can’t see the release is basically half blind, because reading the puck off the blade of the stick becomes impossible. Add a screen that keeps the goaltender from seeing the puck till it’s halfway to the net, and you’ve reduced him to blocking and hoping to get lucky.

MORE: Reinvented Steven Stamkos is better than ever

Finally, I want to show you what Kucherov can do with a little more room. Pay special attention to the second view of the shot.

As Kucherov glides across the slot, patiently waiting for the puck to settle, notice how far back he pulls the puck to take his shot: zilch. He doesn’t square himself at all, either, and you can barely even see him shift his weight before the shot. All that force is generated with a motion so subtle you can’t even see it without slowing it down. From a goaltender’s perspective, that’s a nightmare.

From a hockey fan’s perspective, however, Kucherov’s talents are an absolute dream. His rare blend of trickery, power, and dexterity make him as exciting to watch as he is dangerous to play against. The Lightning have become viewing watching this season, and Kucherov has earned the lions’ share of that credit.