Kucherov joins McDavid in 100-assist club

Tampa Bay Lightning superstar Nikita Kucherov became the fifth player in NHL history and the second this year to notch 100 assists in a single season Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Kucherov entered the contest with 99 helpers and hit the century mark with an assist on Brayden Point's power-play goal.

Kucherov joins Connor McDavid, Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Bobby Orr as the only NHLers to accomplish the feat. McDavid reached the milestone on Monday.

Prior to 2023-24, Gretzky was the last to do it in 1990-91, which was his 11th consecutive campaign with at least 100 assists. Lemieux (1988-89) and Orr (1970-71) each hit the milestone once in their careers.

Kucherov is the only winger among the five members of the 100-assist club.

He leads the league with 144 points this season - six up on Nathan MacKinnon in the Art Ross Trophy race.