2024-04-18 00:40:00
After Connor McDavid on Monday, it was Nikita Kucherov’s turn to reach the plateau of 100 assists this season on Wednesday, during the Tampa Bay Lightning’s 82nd and final game.
In the second period of the clash between the Lightning and the Toronto Maple Leafs, Kucherov passed in the center of the slot towards his faithful companion Brayden Point, who beat Martin Jones with a quick one-timer.
The Lightning ultimately won 6-4 thanks to two-point performances from Kucherov, Steven Stamkos, Nick Paul, Anthony Duclair and Brandon Hagel.
“Kuch” is the fifth skater in NHL history to score 100 goals for his teammates, after Bobby Orr, Wayne Gretzky (eleven times), Mario Lemieux and McDavid.
The league hasn’t had a campaign in which two players totaled 100 assists since Gretzky and Lemieux did it in 1988-89 (114 each).
The Russian also hit the target in the first period, increasing his priority over Nathan MacKinnon to six points at the top of the Bettman Tour points column, thanks to his 44 goals and 100 assists.
There is just one game left in the season for MacKinnon and the Colorado Avalanche, who host the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday.
Matthews tried everything for a 70th
In this match without implications for the ranking, center Auston Matthews tried to make an impression by adding a 70th goal to his haul of the season, but did not succeed.
Matthews, playing under the watchful eye of his parents, was trying to become the first player since Alex Mogilny and Teemu Selänne (76 each) in 1992-93 to score at least 70 goals.
It’s not for lack of not having tried: constantly fed by his teammates, Matthews put eleven shots on the cage of reserve Matt Tomkins, without succeeding in thwarting him.
The 26-year-old sniper therefore stopped at 69 goals, having not been able to hit the target in his last two games, in Sunrise and Tampa.
“It just wasn’t meant to happen,” mused Leafs No. 34.
The last to have totaled 69 goals in the NHL was Mario Lemieux, in 1995-1996.
Ryan Reaves, TJ Brodie, Pontus Holmberg and John Tavares – in the last minute of play, while Sheldon Keefe did everything in his power for Matthews to score the coveted goal – scored the goals for Toronto.
Tampa will begin its playoff journey by facing its Florida rivals, the Panthers, while Toronto will face the Boston Bruins.
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