TAMPA, Fla. — Like many young Russian hockey players, Nikita Kucherov grew up following Alex Ovechkin’s career, hoping to someday become a prolific scorer and maybe even compete against his countryman in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The 24-year-old Tampa Bay Lightning winger has spent five seasons fulfilling the first portion of the dream.

The other part becomes a reality Friday night, when the Lightning open the Eastern Conference finals against Ovechkin’s Washington Capitals.

“When he came in the league, he was the best player, and I mean he’s still the best player,” Kucherov said.

“Everybody would talk about him, and I definitely wanted to be in his spot one day, scoring goals,” the Lightning star added. “He’s a great example for young kids and someone to look up to.”

Ovechkin is also looking for his first trip to the Stanley Cup Final, a platform Kucherov has already performed on.

The Lightning, who also feature of couple of other young Russians playing key roles in goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy and rookie defenseman Mikhail Sergachev, are in the conference final for the third time in four years.

In 2015, they defeated the New York Rangers before losing to the Chicago Blackhawks in the Cup Final.

“It’s great competition to play against the best players and then against your countrymen,” Kucherov said.