Kucherov nets 3 points in return from 2-game injury absence
Nikita Kucherov recorded a goal and two assists in his return to the lineup Sunday, helping the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 4-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks.
Kucherov had missed the last two games with an undisclosed injury, an 8-1 win over the San Jose Sharks on Thursday and a 5-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Nov. 30. He didn't play in the second period of Tampa's 3-2 victory over the Nashville Predators on Nov. 29, though he returned for the third frame.
The Lightning superstar has now notched 13 goals - including 12 at even strength - and 24 assists while averaging 21:34 of ice time across 23 games this season.
He leads Tampa Bay in assists by three and in points by six while trailing only Brayden Point (18) for the most tallies on the team. Point scored twice against the Canucks en route to a four-point game.
Kucherov came into Sunday ranked third in the NHL in points per game (1.55) among those who've played more than 13 contests.
The two-time Art Ross Trophy winner claimed the award last season with a career-high 144 points over 81 contests. He buried a personal-best 44 goals, netting at least 40 for the third time in 10 campaigns.
Kucherov was also the runner-up for the Hart Trophy in 2023-24. He was voted MVP in 2018-19 after winning the Art Ross with 128 points in 82 games.