The Tampa Bay Lightning dominated the New York Rangers on Monday night with a convincing 5-1 victory, showcasing their remarkable form as the regular season winds down. It was another step forward for a team that seems to be in cruise control as they march toward their eighth consecutive playoff appearance—a streak that speaks volumes about their consistency and resilience. In the broader picture, this marks their 13th playoff berth in the past 14 years, solidifying their position as one of the most formidable franchises in NHL history.
Much of Tampa Bay's sustained success has been powered by an offensive machine that refuses to falter, even when the odds have been stacked against them. Central to this unyielding offensive prowess is Nikita Kucherov, a player whose contributions transcend the ordinary and redefine excellence. Kucherov has continued to cement his place in the annals of hockey history with yet another milestone—a fifth 100-point season in 2025, his third in consecutive years. This achievement sets him apart, as no other Russian-born player has ever managed to reach this elite level of scoring prowess so many times.
On Monday night, Kucherov played a pivotal role in Tampa Bay's triumph, recording an assist on Brayden Point's first-period goal that catapulted the Lightning to a 3-0 lead. This assist further underscored Kucherov's uncanny ability to orchestrate plays with precision and flair, adding to his legacy as a playmaker of the highest caliber. With this milestone, he has now registered at least 80 assists in three consecutive seasons—an extraordinary feat matched only by NHL legends Wayne Gretzky, Paul Coffey, and Bobby Orr. Joining the ranks of these iconic figures is a testament to Kucherov's talent and commitment to his craft.
The 31-year-old winger wasn't done yet. Later in the game, he added another assist, tying Colorado Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon for the league lead with a staggering 115 points. This statistical dominance has ignited discussions about Kucherov's place in the grand tapestry of NHL greats. While some may argue that he doesn't always receive the recognition he deserves, Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper adamantly disagrees. Speaking to Jonny Lazarus of Daily Faceoff, Cooper expressed his admiration for Kucherov, recalling moments that have reaffirmed his belief in the Russian winger's extraordinary skill.
"Is he underappreciated in the grand scheme of things? Uhh, probably…not in our locker room," Cooper said. "I was fortunate to be able to be a part of the 4 Nation tournament, and when you're witnessing and coaching that elite talent—you kind of reminisce a bit and say guys like Kucherov should be in this tournament, and hopefully it happens in the future. But you realize how special a player he is after watching the players I got to be involved with. He would have fit right into that mix. Hopefully, he has an opportunity as well—the Vasilevskiys, the Draisaitls, and those guys that didn't get to play in it. Hopefully, they will soon because those guys deserve to be in events we just witnessed a month and a half ago."
Kucherov's impact on the game has been undeniable, both in terms of individual accolades and team success. The 31-year-old's illustrious career includes winning the Hart Trophy in 2019 as the league's most valuable player and lifting the Stanley Cup twice, in 2020 and 2021. As the Lightning continue their pursuit of yet another championship, Kucherov remains at the heart of their aspirations, a player whose brilliance leaves fans and teammates in awe, game after game.
