Nikita Kucherov gets milestone, but Auston Matthews doesn't

Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov. Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

Nikita Kucherov gets 100th assist, but Auston Matthews can't reach 70 goals

By Paul Harris | Last updated 4/17/24

Nikita Kucherov got his milestone, but Auston Matthews did not.

Kucherov became the fifth player in NHL history to reach 100 assists in a season as his Tampa Bay Lightning defeated Matthews and the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-4 on Wednesday night at Tampa's Amalie Arena in the final regular-season game for both teams.

Kucherov, who also scored his 44th goal on Wednesday and leads the race for the Art Ross Trophy as the league's leading point producer with 144, reached the century mark in assists when — from the right-wing half wall — he set up Brayden Point in the slot for a power-play goal with 2:55 left in the second period.

Kucherov joins Bobby Orr (1970-71), Wayne Gretzky (who did it 11 times from 1980-81 to 1990-91), Mario Lemieux (1988-89) and Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid, who also reached the mark this season.

Matthews was looking to join the 70-goal club. But despite 12 shots on goal and hitting a crossbar, he could not reach that milestone and has to settle for 69. Matthews is the 13th player in NHL history to have at least 65 goals in a season.

This is the second season in NHL history that two players have reached 100 assists. Both Gretzky and Lemieux had 114 in 1988-89. Lemieux won the scoring title with 85 goals for 199 points, while Gretzky had 54 goals and 168 points.

Orr had 102 assists in 1970-71 to go along with 37 goals. McDavid had 32 goals and 100 assists for 132 points with the Oilers still having Wednesday night's game at the Arizona Coyotes and Thursday night at the Colorado Avalanche remaining in the regular season.

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