There isn’t much more that can help define Nikita Kucherov’s career. He’s already won two Hart Memorial Trophies and two Stanley Cups. He’s led the league in scoring three times and is one of five players with 100 assists in a season.
Jon Cooper reflected on the moment he realized how special of a player Kucherov was following the Tuesday night night win over the Vegas Golden Knights.
“Oh, maybe how dumb I was because I sat him out for two games in the 2014 playoffs," he said, via Lightning reporter Gabby Shirley. "I think his coming out party was the next year when we made that run to the final in 2015. It was the formation of the triplet line that year, and you knew you had something special that year.
Being in the spotlight is where he has parked himself for well over a decade now. However, he’s about to stand out more than ever.
In that Tuesday night win, he tallied three points to tie his former teammate Steven Stamkos for the Tampa Bay Lightning all-time points record. Both have 1,137 points. By the end of the next game on Friday, it would be shocking if he didn’t stand alone.
Regardless of the outcome, that’s the story that will reign supreme. Unfortunately for Lightning fans, it’s a celebration that will likely come from your TV screen. The game is in Denver against the Avalanche, and there is a game the very next day in Salt Lake City.
Kucherov would have to go scoreless in back-to-back games for the record to be broken at Benchmark International Arena.
It could happen. It’s just rare. Most probably don’t want him to miss the scoresheet for two games just so he can do this on home ice. There will be a celebration anyway once they get back to Tampa.
An inevitable moment has arrived. It just depends on when and how it happens in Denver. A goal would be the most thrilling way it could happen. It would also be very fitting for Kucherov, in particular, to make it happen with a stellar pass to a teammate.
After all, he’s at least 83 assists over the previous four seasons. He’s yet again averaging an assist per game this season.
Like with other milestones, just take the moment to soak it in. It's going to be a long time before someone else is claiming this record. If you miss it, that's going to be it.
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