The 2023-24 season continues to be a rollercoaster of emotions for the Tampa Bay Lightning. After a shaky start in the Fall without their starting goaltender, the Lightning have been inconsistent with positive signs of hope followed by losing streaks and defensive lapses. However, two players on the roster have remained consistent throughout the season. Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov continue to dominate the NHL, sometimes winning games for the Bolts single-handedly.
Point and Kucherov Are on a Heater to Close the Season
Since being united, Point and Kucherov have been considered one of the league’s top duos for years. The two superstars have shared almost 2,500 minutes of ice time at 5v5 from 2022-24. Head Coach Jon Cooper never separates the two forwards due to the chemistry and success they have had. Furthermore, both stars are underpaid for their services, which allowed the Lightning to build stacked rosters around Point and Kucherov. Point is in the second year of his eight-year contract, with an annual average of $9.5 million per season. Moreover, Kucherov is in the fourth year of his eight-year contract, which carries the same $9.5 million AAV.
This past week, Point and Kucherov were lights out for the Bolts. The Lightning are currently on a four-game winning streak, defeating four teams set to make the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. Let’s analyze the impact of Point and Kucherov on Tampa Bay’s goal-scoring down the home stretch.
Production From the Previous Four Games
The recent success of the Lightning is due to stellar performances from Point and Kucherov. Point has six goals and four assists for ten points in his last four games. Furthermore, the leader in league scoring, Nikita Kucherov, has three goals and nine assists for 12 points in four games. The duo was involved in 61% of the Lightning’s goals over the past four games.
Throughout the season, the Lightning did not receive much offensive production outside Point, Kucherov, and Brandon Hagel at even strength. While Hagel performed well on the top line, the team plays better when Hagel drives the second line as a shutdown or scoring option with Anthony Cirelli. With Hagel and Cirelli on line two, Point and Kucherov have easier matchups against weaker forward lines. Plus, at the trade deadline, General Manager Julien BriseBois gifted Point and Kucherov the perfect linemate at a cost-effective price.
Complimentary Scoring Help Arrives for the Top Line
The 2024 NHL Trade Deadline brought the Lightning’s top line a complimentary piece for the playoffs. The 28-year-old forward Anthony Duclair has made a name on the top-line left wing. The winger has four goals and five points in his first four games with the Lightning. Many knew Duclair could produce with elite linemates due to his 30-goal campaign with the Florida Panthers two seasons ago. However, Duclair’s struggles this season tanked his value, and the Lightning only gave up Jack Thompson and a 2024 third-round pick. As a result, the Lightning have a balanced top-six forward group that appears to be trouble for Stanley Cup contenders.
Playoff Outlook and Closing Thoughts
Point and Kucherov are two of the best Lightning players in history. The amount of success the dynamic duo brought to Tampa in recent years is unquantifiable. After a disappointing first-round exit last season, Point and Kucherov have shown no signs of slowing down. Point is on pace to reach the 40-goal plateau for the third time in his career, while Kucherov has a case to win the Hart Trophy. No matter the scenario, the two superstars have remained consistent through the ups and downs of the season for the Lightning.
Tampa Bay fans should feel confident in this team heading into the playoffs. The trade deadline was quiet for BriseBois and company, but also strategic and cost-effective. With the recent performance of Andrei Vasilevskiy and new trade deadline acquisitions, the Lightning are a sleeper Wild Card team heading into the postseason. Furthermore, Mikhail Sergachev is already skating following two leg surgeries. We believe the Lightning are a lot better than most people think heading into the playoffs, especially with the superb play of their superstars lately.
Main photo: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
