Nikita Kucherov had another ho-hum three-point night against the Arizona Coyotes to retake the NHL scoring race from Nathan MacKinnon. It was his second multi-point game in a row and his seventh in eleven games since the calendar flipped to 2024. Over those eleven games he has six goals and sixteen assists to bring his season total to 83 points.
Not to be outdone, MacKinnon has scored in all eleven games the Avalanche have played in 2024 and recorded multiple points in six of them. He has 11 goals and 13 assists over that stretch for a season total of 82. His 24 points leads the league since January 1st while Kucherov’s 22 points is second. The two have been flip-flopping the league lead on a nightly basis, and frankly, it’s fantastic.
The fact that we have two 80+ points scorers before the end of the season, and they both seem determined to outplay each other on a nightly basis makes for fun scoreboard watching. Just think, it was just 9 years ago that Jamie Benn led the league with 87 points total. Coaches may love defense, but everyone else loves offense.
With neither team leading their respective division, expect them to rely on their dynamic scorers the rest of the way. Kucherov is averaging a career-high 21:55 of ice time. The same goes for MacKinnon, who is on the ice for a defenseman-like 23:04 every night. Don’t expect either to get any breaks anytime soon.
David Pastrnak, who had two points on Thursday, is a distant third in the points race with 69, so it looks like it will be a two-person race for now. An injury earlier in the season knocked Connor McDavid out of the race as he sits at 60 points in 41 games (MacKinnon and Kucherov have both played in 48). That being said, during the Oilers 15-game winning streak, McDavid has 19 points (6 goals, 13 assists), so don’t count him out just yet.
The scoring race will get a small break next week with the All-Star festivities heading to Toronto. MacKinnon is going to be one of the captains and have the opportunity to draft Kucherov to his team. Kuch has to be the first player drafted, right? Imagine what a line of MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Kucherov could do on the ice with no one trying to defend them?
Who do you think ends up with the Art Ross this year?
Other Hockey News
Lightning beat Coyotes, 6-3 [Raw Charge]
It was a fun game for Bolts fans as the Lightning scored early and then built a big lead in the second period. A couple of fights and some milestones were reached. What more can you ask for?
Your nightly list of fun Lightning stat-related Tweets.
Most team-friendly deal for all 32 teams [ESPN]
Mikey Eyssimont at $800,000 is their pick for the Bolts. Honestly, an argument can be made that Nikita Kucherov at $9.5 million is their best deal. Oddly enough there are five former Bolts that are the best deal for their prospective franchises: Mathieu Joseph (Ottawa), Connor Ingram (Arizona), Taylor Raddysh (Chicago), Jonathan Drouin (Colordao), and Vlad Namestnikov (Winnipeg).
TRRRRRAAAAAADDDDEEEE [Pensburgh]
Max Cajkovic was traded from the Minnesota organization to the Pittsburgh one. The former Bolts draft pick is likely to report to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Once prized college free agent defenseman Will Butcher went the other way.
US Women’s National Team announces roster [USA Hockey]
The final three games of the Rivalry Series between Team USA and Team Canada will take place in February. On Thursday, the U.S. announced their roster which is led by the legend Hillary Knight.
Staios outlines trade targets [Sportsnet]
Could the Senators be buyers at the deadline? Despite being 15th in the Eastern Conference, their general manager is looking for veterans to help lead the young core that they’ve put together. They could make for some interesting trade partners if they’re willing to part with their pending UFAs like Vlad Tarasenko.
Patrick Roy gets a nice welcome in his return to Montreal, but the Canadians sent him home with a loss.
