Nikita Kucherov, the Russian forward for the Tampa Bay Lightning, has been named the first star of November in the National Hockey League. The announcement comes from the league’s official channels and confirms Kucherov’s standout performance through the month. His prolific scoring and consistent play helped anchor Tampa Bay during a period of strong competition across the league.
In the voting, Kucherov edged out notable rivals such as Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche and Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks. Makar registered 22 points in November, including 5 goals and 17 assists, while Hughes tallied 22 points as well with a 5 goal, 17 assist line. Kucherov accumulated 28 points in the same span, featuring 9 goals and 19 assists. The margin of victory highlights Kucherov’s decisive impact on the ice during the month, as reported by the NHL’s official site.
As the current NHL season unfolds, Kucherov sits atop the league scoring race. Across 23 games, he has delivered 15 goals and 24 assists, underscoring his role as a primary playmaker and goal scorer for Tampa Bay. The Lightning currently sit eighth in the Eastern Conference with 25 points after 24 NHL games, a testament to the team’s balanced performance and Kucherov’s contributions. Looking ahead, a December matchup against Dallas stands on the schedule as another opportunity for him to extend his season-long momentum.
Last season, Kucherov finished with an impressive 30 goals and 82 assists, totaling 112 points and placing him among the league’s top performers. He finished fourth in the overall points race, behind league-leading talents such as David Pastrnak, Leon Draisaitl, and Connor McDavid, whose prolific seasons created a highly competitive scoring race across the league.
Earlier in his career, Kucherov and the Lightning benefited from strategic team moves, including trades that shaped their roster depth and offensive firepower. The professional journey of the Russian forward reflects a combination of skill, endurance, and consistent production that resonates with fans and analysts following the team’s ongoing journey in the NHL season. Markedly, his performance has become a focal point for discussions about Tampa Bay’s chances in the Eastern Conference and their pursuit of league-wide recognition as a top contenders club.