NHL Weekly Stars: Kucherov, Forsberg, and Caufield Shine
As the NHL season heats up, three standout players have been named the "Three Stars" for their exceptional performances this past week: Tampa Bay Lightning's Nikita Kucherov, Nashville Predators' Filip Forsberg, and Montreal Canadiens' Cole Caufield.
First Star: Nikita Kucherov, RW, Tampa Bay Lightning
Nikita Kucherov has been on an absolute tear, propelling himself to the top of the Art Ross Trophy race. Over four games, he led the league with an impressive six goals, tied for seven assists, and racked up a total of 13 points. Kucherov's prowess wasn't just limited to scoring; he also tied for the lead in game-winning goals and shots on goal, while boasting a stellar plus/minus of +11.
His week kicked off with a bang against the Seattle Kraken, where he notched his seventh career hat trick and ninth five-point game, contributing to a 6-2 victory. Kucherov kept the momentum going with a three-point night in a 6-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks, marking his ninth three-point performance this season.
He followed up with a four-point game against the Edmonton Oilers, including his first career shorthanded goal, pushing the Lightning to a 5-2 win. Despite a 4-3 overtime loss to the Calgary Flames, Kucherov added another assist to cap off a remarkable week.
At 32, Kucherov's journey this season has been nothing short of spectacular. From trailing by 22 points in the Art Ross Trophy race in December, he now leads the league with 119 points in 65 games, eyeing his third consecutive and fourth overall scoring title.