Valentine’s Day is here, and it’s time NHL fans talk about the players they love.

NHL fans only have so much love to go around, so sorry Brad Marchand, but you probably won’t get any love from fans this Valentine’s Day. We do appreciate you, however. Someone has to be public enemy No. 1, and we do respect the fact that you embraced it at the All-Star game in Tampa Bay. But no, this won’t change the public’s opinion of you.

But enough with all the negativity. After all, it is Valentine’s Day. There are plenty of players to love in today’s NHL, but some just draw the spotlight more than others.

Nikita Kucherov

The collective opinion on Nikita Kucherov that I have gotten is that a lot of people like him, but that has to be expected, right? At the start of the season, if you asked someone who they thought would be the frontrunner for the Art Ross Trophy this late in the season, their answer probably wasn’t Kucherov. Everyone loves the underdog story, and he is exactly that.

Kucherov has steadily gotten better throughout his career. Last season, he finished with an impressive 85 points. This season, he is on pace to eclipse that. In 56 games, Kucherov has recorded 71 points on 30 goals and 41 assists.

What we love most about Kucherov is that when he scores, it comes in bunches. Kucherov has 24 games this season where he has scored multiple points. To make this stat even more impressive, Kucherov only has 14 games in which he hasn’t scored.

Kucherov doesn’t make us laugh. He doesn’t entertain with crazy antics. Kucherov gets love across the NHL because of his fantastic play so far this season. The Lightning are the top team in the NHL, and it has a lot to do with Kucherov’s play.

Taylor Hall

Taylor Hall is one of the most exciting players to watch out in New Jersey. So far this season, Hall has 57 points on 21 goals and 36 assists. But we don’t just love Hall because of his play. He is quite the jokester, and he shows it on his Twitter account.

Like the time Hall “made a move” on Selena Gomez when she was spotted wearing a New Jersey Devils’ jersey.

Sup Selena? https://t.co/Ax0b6mUYgH

— Taylor Hall (@hallsy09) November 2, 2017

But the antics don’t stop there for Hall. There also was the time where he looked like a kid in a candy store while watching a Rick Flair tribute.

Legit https://t.co/BWFSqSV7kd

— Taylor Hall (@hallsy09) December 22, 2017

Hall is a fascinating player to watch on and off the ice. We are all thankful for Hall this Valentine’s Day, and he is just one of the many players we love.

Alexander Ovechkin

Ovechkin is a player that is tough to hate unless you’re a fan of a rival team. With the Olympics rolling on, a lot of us love Ovechkin because he is standing up to commissioner Gary Bettman on NHL players not being able to play in the Olympics.

Ovechkin has been openly pro-Olympics since the beginning. During training camp, Ovechkin released this statement to the Capitals to release to the NHL.

Ovechkin, like many of us, loves his country. When asked about the Olympics recently, Ovechkin had this to say.

Just finished interview with Alex Ovechkin. I asked if he's watching the Olympics. He said no then said, maybe hockey.."thanks Bettman".

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) February 13, 2018

Ovechkin has been one of the top players in the NHL for a long time now, and his recent comments about the Olympics have made us like him more.

Players we love

There are many players we love in the NHL this Valentine’s Day, but these three are the favorites during this loving season. Kucherov’s play has won over our hearts this year. Hall’s hilarious Twitter comments keep us entertained. Ovechkin standing up to Bettman has made us all respect him even more.

Featured image by Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

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