Nikita Kucherov named NHL First Star of the Week (Image via: Getty Images) Ending the year on a good note, Nikita Kucherov has stepped up once again for the Tampa Bay Lightning at exactly the right time. The star forward has delivered a strong stretch of hockey, scoring four goals and putting up six points in his last three games while helping Tampa Bay win all three matchups during an important part of their season.This run has earned him the NHL’s First Star of the Week, and it feels fitting. Kucherov didn’t just pile up numbers in easy situations. He produced when games were physical, tense, and could have slipped away, showing the kind of control and composure that separates elite players from everyone else.
Nikita Kucherov named NHL’s First Star of the Week, Lightning get their game back on track
The Lightning needed leadership and finishing, and Kucherov provided both. After a heated, demanding rivalry game against the Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay nearly let a comfortable 4–1 lead vanish against the Montreal Canadiens before pulling through in a shootout. Even with momentum swings and pressure moments, Kucherov stayed sharp, continued creating offense, and played with the calm presence his team relies on.His overall season numbers back up the recognition. With 17 goals and 49 points in 34 games, Kucherov remains one of the league’s top offensive producers and sits firmly in the NHL’s scoring race alongside names like Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Macklin Celebrini, and a handful of other elite forwards. His pace may be slightly behind last season’s extraordinary production, but that does not take away from the impact he is still having.There is also plenty of time ahead. With more than half the schedule still remaining, Kucherov has room to push his totals even higher and possibly work his way back toward the 120-point range once again. If he does that, the Art Ross Trophy conversation will quickly include him, although the competition remains extremely tight.For Tampa Bay, his current form brings stability and confidence. It reassures the team that their star forward is still driving the attack and capable of lifting them when games get difficult. For the wider NHL picture, it simply reinforces what has been true for years: when Kucherov is locked in, he remains one of the most dangerous and reliable offensive players in the league, and he is making sure the Lightning close the year with real momentum.Also Read: What is Nikita Kucherov’s net worth in 2025? Details on Tampa Bay Lightning star’s earnings, deals, endorsements