In the final game of the Lightning’s regular season, Nikita Kucherov posted another two-point night. His goal and assist (his 100th of the season) not only helped Tampa Bay defeat Toronto, but gave him a total of 144, a franchise record. It was also enough to secure the Art Ross Trophy, besting Nathan MacKinnon by four points. It’s not the first time Kucherov has found himself atop of Points Mountain as he won the award back in 2018-19.
It was an outstanding season for Kucherov who finished with career bests in goals (44), assists (100), points (144), power play points (53), and shots on goal (306). He was by far the best player on the Lightning as he finished with 54 more points than the Bolt with the second-highest total, Brayden Point. And it’s not like Point had an off season as the center finished with 90 points.
Will it be enough for him to secure the league MVP honor? Possibly. Over the previous 10 seasons, the Art Ross winner also took home the Hart Trophy, including Kucherov who won the double back in 2018-19. Carey Price (2014-15), Taylor Hall (2017-18), and Auston Matthews (2021-22) were the three outliers, with Connor McDavid taking the hit in 2018 and 2022.
Not only was Kucherov’s spread over Point the largest in the league, he also factored in 50% of the Lightning’s goals, the highest percentage in the league. He also recorded 75 points on the road, the most in the league by 15, and his 54 road assists were the most since Wayne Gretzky put up 57 in 1990-91. Speaking of 91, that’s the total of even-strength points he put up. Prior to this season, no player had reached that total this century. Side note, MacKinnon did have 92 even-strength points this season, so yeah, he beat him, but still, it’s pretty cool.
With the Art Ross victory, Kucherov joins Marty St. Louis as the only Lightning player to win the award twice. St. Louis won in 2003-04 and 2012-13. He won the Hart in 2004, but not in 2013, that went to Alex Ovechkin. Odd stat – thanks to the dead puck era of 2004 and the lockout-shortened 2013 season, St. Louis combined point total for his two Art Ross wins was 154, just 10 more points than Kucherov’s total this season.
Congratulations, Nikita Kucherov.
Other Hockey News
It was preview day at Raw Charge. First we vibed out and then we took a look at some 5v5 play between the two teams. The folks over at The Athletic had their preview of the series as well. They are shading towards the Panthers, but that’s just like, their opinion, man.
The Syracuse Crunch beat the Utica Comets, 4-3, on Friday night. Second period goals by Waltteri Merela and Gabe Fortier proved to be the difference as the Crunch held onto the top spot in the North and locked up a first-round bye. If they can beat Utica again tonight, or if Rochester loses in regulation, Syracuse will win the North Division.
It’s official, hockey is coming to the Beehive State. I would be a lot more excited if I still lived in Salt Lake City, that’s for sure. The local paper, the Salt Lake Tribune, had some of the details about where the team will be playing next season. New owner, Ryan Smith, sat down with Commissioner (and Hall of Famer) to speak with the media about his $1.2 billion purchase.
