For the second straight week in the National Hockey League, Tampa Bay Lightning right winger Nikita Kucherov of Maykop, Russia was named the National Hockey League First Star of the Week on Monday. After getting four goals and two assists for six points in three games from December 22 to December 28, Kucherov had three goals and seven assists for 10 points in three games from December 29 to January 4. So in the last two weeks, Kucherov, the reigning Art Trophy winner, has had seven goals and nine assists for 16 points in six games. The Lightning star is on fire everyone!
Other statistics from December 29 to January 4
Kucherov was also a +6 with five power-play points, seven shots on goal, one blocked shot, one hit, and seven giveaways. He made the most of his opportunities as Kucherov had a string shooting percentage for the week of .429.
Kucherov helped the Lightning deliver three consecutive wins. He had one goal and one assist for two points on New Year’s Eve in a 4-3 Lightning win over the Anaheim Ducks. Kucherov then had one goal and two assists for three points, and one blocked shot in a 5-3 Lightning win over the Los Angeles Kings on New Year’s Day.
Then on Saturday night, Kucherov had a season-high five points. He had one goal and four assists and one hit in a dominant 7-3 Lightning win over the San Jose Sharks.
Kucherov’s season statistics
Kucherov has 20 goals and 39 assists for 59 points. He is a +18 with 18 penalty minutes, 18 power-play points, four game-winning goals, 112 shots on goal, 13 blocked shots, 15 hits, 10 takeaways, and 63 giveaways.
Fourth in the NHL in scoring
Kucherov’s 59 points are the fourth most in the National Hockey League. He is behind Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon of Halifax, Nova Scotia (74 points), Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid of Richmond Hill, Ontario (72 points), and San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini of North Vancouver, British Columbia.
Second place in the Atlantic Division
The Lightning have a record of 25 wins, 13 regulation losses and three losses in extra time for 53 points. They are in second place in the Atlantic Division and one point back of the first place Detroit Red Wings. It is an interesting battle at the top of the division. Remember, current Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman of Cranbrook, British Columbia, was the general manager of the Lightning from 2010 to 2018.
