Tampa Bay star Nikita Kucherov had not played with former captain Steven Stamkos in over a season, but the two high-scoring forwards were united in franchise history in the Lightning’s most recent outing.
Kucherov joined Stamkos Saturday as the only Lightning players to reach 1,000 career points by posting two assists in Sunday’s 4-3 win over the Anaheim Ducks, giving him 1,001 in 809 games.
Stamkos, now with the Nashville Predators, posted 1,137 points in 1,082 games over 16 seasons in Tampa.
The 32-year-old right wing will look to carry that over to Sunday when the Lightning host the Vegas Golden Knights.
“We were super pumped,” said captain Victor Hedman of the celebration that ensued after Kucherov’s first of two assists. “I’ve had a seat firsthand to see all of them. It’s not a fluke. He’s our hardest-working guy.”
The Swedish defenseman himself made history by hitting 800 career points, also all with the Lightning.
Against the visiting Ducks, the Lightning blew a two-goal lead and were tied 3-all late, but they won on home ice for the first time on Anthony Cirelli’s late power-play goal, his second tally of the game and fifth of the season.
Coach Jon Cooper relies on his veterans, but he said they cannot sit back on their laurels and hope to just repeat the past.
“There’s a lot to learn from the game,” said Cooper. “We have a lot of veterans in the lineup. Just because you’ve done it before doesn’t mean you’ll do it again. You have to understand what it took and takes to do it again. … We’re not making a ton of mistakes, but when we are, we’re getting burned.”
It took eight games, but the Golden Knights finally lost in regulation Saturday against the Florida Panthers, as they were shut out by goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky on just 17 shots.
Akira Schmid made 23 saves in net for Vegas, but coach Bruce Cassidy’s club has help on the way.
Vegas signed Carter Hart to a two-year, $4 million contract Friday with hopes of moving him into the mix with No. 1 Adin Hill out and Schmid promoted to the top netminding role.
Hill (lower body) is week-to-week after leaving Monday’s 4-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. Backstop Carl Lindbom was recalled from the AHL affiliate Henderson Silver Knights and is reportedly set to make his NHL debut against Tampa Bay.
Hart, 27, who last played for the Philadelphia Flyers in 2023-24, was one of five players accused of sexual assault in June of 2018 while with Canada’s 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship team that won gold.
All five were found not guilty. Only Hart has signed an NHL contract.
“I think it’s great,” forward Jack Eichel said of signing Hart. ” … We’re looking forward to having him, and it’s a great opportunity for him to get to play hockey again.”
Added Hart: “I’m just looking forward to moving ahead here and getting back to playing the game of hockey that I love and showing the community here what I’m really about and my true character and who I am.”
Hart’s first game of eligibility will be against the Chicago Blackhawks on Dec. 2.
In addition to Hill, Vegas will be without captain Mark Stone (wrist), who was placed on long-term injured reserve this week, and defenseman Noah Hanifin (lower-body injury).
Center Brett Howden returned against the Panthers, skated 13:09 and was minus-2.
