Let’s face it, he has done that for a lot of seasons, but this season, he’s had less of a supporting cast, and he’s in the midst of what may be his best statistical season, and he’s right smack in the middle of the Hart Memorial Trophy conversation. 

25 of his 39 games have been of the multi-point variety. Most recently, he had a four-point game against the Philadelphia Flyers, and his linemate, Gage Goncalves, and the 24-year-old is learning from Kucherov, who is able to feed him on the rush quite a bit. Add Brayden Point, and you have a dynamic line all-around.

“I think, honestly, you know, probably early on in my career, probably don’t make that play,” Goncalves admitted. 

Goncalves had 20 points last season, and now he has 15 already. He had a two-point game in Philadelphia, and he should be able to hit double-digit goals. Kucherov makes players around him better, and every player is willing to tell the reporters the impact he has on every shift of every game. 

“Yeah, I think this league has so many good players. I mean, every team’s got some, but he’s unique. His ability to see the ice, to make plays, to know what’s happening before it happens,” said head coach Jon Cooper. 

This line doesn’t get its due, maybe because Goncalves is coming into his own. Kucherov is always in the conversation with stars in the league, but this year, his points-per-game average is out of this world at 1.67. Only Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon are ahead of him, and they’ve been roadblocks before. 

Kucherov has one MVP award, and he could be in line for his second. The guys ahead of him have more points, but they have better teams. The Lightning are overshooting what many of us felt they could do this year, and add the fact they’re missing key players with injuries, and you realize how special this season is for Kucherov.