As the NHL regular season comes to a close, one of the most exciting races is heating up again—the battle for the Art Ross Trophy. For the second year in a row, it’s between Tampa Bay Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov and Colorado Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon. Both players are tied at 116 points, but who will come out on top?
Let’s break it down.
A Rivalry That Goes Back Years
This is not the first time Kucherov and MacKinnon are going head-to-head. Last season, Kucherov made a strong late push and finished with 144 points, winning the Art Ross for the second time in his career. MacKinnon had 140 points and won the Hart Trophy as the league’s MVP.
Their rivalry also stretches back to the 2022 Stanley Cup Final, where MacKinnon’s Avalanche defeated Kucherov’s Lightning.
Now in 2025, the battle is close again—and it may go right down to the final game.
Current Stats (as of April 10, 2025)
Nikita Kucherov:
74 games played
116 points (1.57 points per game)
Nathan MacKinnon:
79 games played
116 points (1.47 points per game)
Kucherov has a better points-per-game average but missed four games this season. MacKinnon, on the other hand, has been extremely durable—he hasn’t missed a game since December 2022, with 209 games played in a row.
Who’s Hot Right Now?
MacKinnon is on an eight-game point streak, scoring 11 points (4 goals, 7 assists) during that stretch. The Avalanche have gone 5-2-1 in those games and are close to securing third place in their division.
Kucherov has been even more explosive lately, with five multi-point games in his last eight matches. He has 18 points in that stretch and is clearly in top form.
How the Schedule Affects the Race
One big edge for Kucherov is the schedule. The Lightning have four games left, while the Avalanche have only three.
Tampa Bay Lightning Upcoming Games:
April 11 vs. Detroit
April 13 vs. Buffalo
April 15 vs. Florida
April 17 at New York Rangers
Colorado Avalanche Upcoming Games:
April 10 vs. Vancouver
April 12 at Los Angeles
April 13 at Anaheim
Kucherov has strong scoring history against Detroit and the Rangers, while MacKinnon has done well against Anaheim and Los Angeles. Based on past performances, both players could add about 5 points, which could make it a tie again at 121 points.
But with an extra game and playing mostly at home, Kucherov has a slight upper hand.
Comparing This Season to Last Season
Nathan MacKinnon
2023-24: 51 goals, 89 assists = 140 points
2024-25: 32 goals, 84 assists = 116 points (so far)
Nikita Kucherov
2023-24: 44 goals, 100 assists = 144 points
2024-25: 34 goals, 82 assists = 116 points (so far)
Both players have dropped slightly in their stats compared to last season, but they remain elite scorers. Kucherov’s assist numbers have dropped more, while MacKinnon’s goal-scoring has slowed down.
Key Players Missing from Their Lineups
MacKinnon is currently playing without his regular linemate Mikko Rantanen, which could affect his final numbers. Kucherov is also without his usual partner on the power play, Steven Stamkos.
Still, both teams have added strong replacements. Martin Necas (for MacKinnon) and Jake Guentzel (for Kucherov) have filled those gaps well, helping their star teammates stay productive.
Career Milestones
MacKinnon reached 1,000 career points in March. Kucherov is not far behind, with 989 points. If he finishes strong with big performances in his last four games, he could hit 1,000 before the playoffs.
The Art Ross Trophy race between Kucherov and MacKinnon is neck-and-neck. With just a few games left, even one big performance could decide who finishes on top. Kucherov has one more game and home-ice advantage, but MacKinnon has been ultra-consistent.
Fans should expect an exciting finish. Whether it’s Kucherov’s sharp playmaking or MacKinnon’s powerful skating, both players are delivering some of the NHL’s best hockey as the season wraps up.
