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Lightning win 6-4 against Leafs
Nikita Kucherov became the fifth player in NHL history to obtain at least 100 assists in a single season as the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-4 on Wednesday night.
Kucherov set the table for 46e Brayden Point’s second-period goal of the season, joining Wayne Gretzky (11 times), Mario Lemieux (1988-89), Bobby Orr (1970-71) and Connor McDavid (2023-24) among this renowned group. McDavid accomplished the feat Monday night in a 9-2 Oilers victory over the San Jose Sharks.
Kucherov also scored a goal to finish his season with 144 points, which should allow him to win the Art Ross Trophy for the second time in his career. Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon, his closest pursuer, has collected 138 points this season and he must play his last game Thursday night, against the Oilers.
Anthony Duclair, Nicholas Paul and Brandon Hagel also had a goal and an assist in the victory for the Lightning, who already knew they would face the Florida Panthers in the first playoff round. Tanner Jeannot also hit the mark.
Matt Tomkins stopped 34 pucks for the Tampa team, which ended a two-game losing streak.
Ryan Reaves, TJ Brodie, Pontus Holmberg and John Tavares were the scorers for the Maple Leafs, who will face the Boston Bruins in the first round. Martin Jones gave up six times in 32 shots for Toronto, who suffered a second straight defeat.
Auston Matthews concluded his campaign with 69 goals, the highest total since Lemieux’s 69 in 1995-96. Matthews was trying to become the first 70-goal scorer in the NHL since Teemu Selanne (76) and Alexander Mogilny (76) in 1992-93.
The Canadian Press