NHL Three Stars of January: Kucherov, Pastrnak, and Bouchard Turn Up the Heat
As the calendar flipped to February, the NHL spotlight landed on three players who didn’t just have strong months - they dominated. Nikita Kucherov, David Pastrnak, and Evan Bouchard each delivered January performances that were not only elite but historically significant. Let’s break down what made each of them stand out.
⭐ First Star: Nikita Kucherov, RW, Tampa Bay Lightning
Nikita Kucherov didn’t just lead the NHL in January - he put together the kind of month that cements MVP campaigns. With 31 points in just 13 games (9 goals, 22 assists), Kucherov was the engine behind Tampa Bay’s scorching 11-1-1 run, a stretch that catapulted the Lightning to the top of both the Atlantic Division and the Eastern Conference standings.
This was the third time in his career Kucherov has hit the 30-point mark in a single month - a feat only seven other players in NHL history have achieved that often. He was on the scoresheet in 12 of 13 games, and when he got going, he didn’t just chip in - he took over. Ten multi-point games, including a five-point night against San Jose (1 goal, 4 assists), two four-point performances, and a pair of three-point outings - that’s a superstar in full command.
Kucherov’s production wasn’t limited to one area of the game either. He led the league in even-strength points (20), power-play assists (9), and power-play points (11).
He was second in even-strength assists (13), and even chipped in nine goals, good for a share of 13th in the league. Add in a +14 rating, and you’re looking at a player who’s making a difference every shift.
On the season, Kucherov sits third in the NHL with 82 points (27 goals, 55 assists) through 48 games. He’s second in points per game (1.71), second in assists, and tied for second in multi-point games with 29. The two-time reigning Art Ross winner is making a strong case for a third, and if January is any indication, he’s only getting hotter.
⭐ Second Star: David Pastrnak, RW, Boston Bruins
While Kucherov was lighting it up in Tampa, David Pastrnak was doing his own damage in Boston. Pastrnak finished January with 25 points (5 goals, 20 assists) in 14 games, helping the Bruins go 11-2-1 and claw their way into the final playoff spot in the East.
His 25 points marked the best single-month output by a Bruins player since Brad Marchand in March 2018, and his 20 assists put him in elite franchise company. Only Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito, and Ray Bourque have ever had that many assists in a month for Boston - not bad company to keep.
The highlight? A six-assist night against the Rangers on January 10 - the first six-point game by a Bruin since Bourque in 1990 and just the third six-assist game in team history. Pastrnak was consistent too, registering points in 12 of 14 games and logging seven multi-point outings.
He led the league in even-strength assists in January (14), ranked second in even-strength points (18), and added seven power-play points and 52 shots on goal. He also posted a +13 rating, showing he was making an impact at both ends of the ice.
Pastrnak’s season numbers are just as impressive: 22 goals and 47 assists for 69 points in 50 games. He recently became just the third Czech-born player to reach 900 career NHL points, and he’s showing no signs of slowing down.
⭐ Third Star: Evan Bouchard, D, Edmonton Oilers
Evan Bouchard has been quietly building a reputation as one of the league’s most dynamic defensemen, but January was anything but quiet. He put up 23 points in 15 games (8 goals, 15 assists), ranking fourth among all NHL skaters and leading all defensemen by a wide margin.
To put that in perspective: only two blueliners in the last 33 years have had more points in a single month - Roman Josi (28 in March 2022) and Cale Makar (25 in November 2023). And when it comes to goal-scoring from the blue line, his eight January goals are the most in a single month since Mike Green in 2009 and Sergei Gonchar in 2000.
Bouchard’s breakout moment came on January 24 against the Capitals, when he recorded his first career hat trick - and added three assists for good measure. That six-point night made him just the fourth defenseman in NHL history to tally at least three goals and three assists in a single game, joining legends like Bobby Orr, Tom Bladon, and Doug Crossman.
Across the month, Bouchard led all defensemen in even-strength goals (6), even-strength points (16), and shots on goal (54). He was second in total assists (15), tied for third in game-winners (2), and added seven power-play points, showing his versatility in all situations.
Now sitting with 60 points on the season (15 goals, 45 assists) through 56 games, Bouchard ranks second among defensemen and is 16th overall in league scoring. He’s just two points away from hitting the 300-point mark in his career - and at 26, he’s only scratching the surface of what he can become.
Bottom Line
January gave us a front-row seat to three players operating at the peak of their powers. Kucherov was surgical, Pastrnak was electric, and Bouchard was a force from the back end. As the playoff push intensifies, these three aren’t just leading their teams - they’re rewriting what dominance looks like in the modern NHL.