In an electrifying game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Tampa Bay Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov etched his name into the NHL history books by becoming only the fifth player ever to record a 100-assist season. During Wednesday night’s 6-4 victory, Kucherov not only scored a goal but also provided a critical assist on Brayden Point’s power-play goal, marking his 100th assist of the season.

This remarkable achievement places Kucherov among the ranks of hockey legends such as Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Bobby Orr, and Connor McDavid, the latter of whom also reached the 100-assist milestone earlier the same week. The NHL had not seen such a feat in 32 seasons until McDavid’s achievement, making this year’s occurrence with two players all the more extraordinary.

“It’s a special moment,” said Kucherov, attributing his success to his teammates and the Lightning’s coaching staff. His teammate Brayden Point praised Kucherov’s work ethic and intelligence on the ice, emphasizing the impressiveness of reaching such a milestone.

Gretzky, the all-time leader with 1,963 career assists, had surpassed the 100-assist mark eleven times, with his last coming in the 1990-91 season. Kucherov’s landmark achievement not only highlights his skill but also marks a resurgence of high-caliber playmaking in the NHL.

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