Nikita Kucherov Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Lightning star reaches 100-point mark, joining elite company

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 2/25/24

Tampa Bay Lightning star Nikita Kucherov joined an exclusive group after becoming the first player in the NHL this season to reach the 100-point mark during a 4-1 win over the New Jersey Devils on Sunday.

It's the second time Kucherov has accomplished the feat during his career, becoming only the ninth player in NHL history to be the first 100-point getter multiple times, per NHL public relations.

He joins several Hall of Famers and future inductees, including Wayne Gretzky, who did it an incredible nine times, along with Mario Lemieux (six), Phil Esposito (six), Connor McDavid (five), Jaromir Jagr (four), Guy LaFleur (three), Sidney Crosby (two) and Evgeni Malkin (two).

Meanwhile, Kucherov recorded 100 points in only 59 games, setting the Lightning franchise record.

Kucherov had a hand in all four Lightning goals against the Devils, assisting on the first three before scoring an empty-netter in the third period. He registered point No. 100 after earning the primary assist on a goal by Brayden Point in the second period.

100 POINTS FOR NIKITA KUCHEROV

Is this a Hart season in the making? pic.twitter.com/Cxl8uU8FNT
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) February 25, 2024

While stars like Auston Matthews, Nathan MacKinnon and McDavid get most of the attention, Kucherov is quietly running away with the Hart Trophy race.

Kucherov has been the definition of an MVP. While he leads the league in points (102), he also has 40 more than Point, who is second on the Lightning with 62.

Meanwhile, the two-time Stanley Cup winner has gone pointless in only 11 games this season while recording 16 games with three points or more following Sunday's four-point performance.

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