Tampa Bay Lightning’s star winger Nikita Kucherov is once again in the spotlight as a finalist for the Hart Trophy, an award given to the NHL’s most valuable player during the regular season. With his extraordinary performance this year, many agree he’s earned the nomination. But after another early playoff exit, questions are being raised about his effectiveness when it matters most.
A Brilliant Regular Season
You simply can’t ignore what Kucherov has done in the regular season. Over the past three years, he has produced an amazing 267 assists and 378 points. He’s won the Art Ross Trophy twice in a row for being the league’s top point scorer and scored at least 30 goals each season. This year alone, he averaged 1.55 points per game—a number that puts him among the best in the world.
That kind of regular-season dominance makes him a top-tier forward by any standard.
But the Playoffs Tell a Different Story
While Kucherov has shined in regular season play, his performance in the past three playoff years paints a different picture. The Lightning have won just four games across three playoff rounds during this time, and Kucherov has scored only one goal in 16 playoff games.
Yes, he has 17 points in those 16 games, which isn’t bad, but just one goal is underwhelming for someone of his talent, especially when compared to his regular-season production. For a player who’s scored 111 goals over the past three regular seasons, the playoffs haven’t seen him bring the same firepower.
What If Kucherov Played for Toronto?
This drop in performance would be headline news if it happened in a big hockey market like Toronto. Imagine if a Maple Leafs star had just one playoff goal in three years—fans and media would be all over him. Kucherov may earn a “reasonable” $9.5 million by NHL standards, but at that salary, teams expect results when it matters most.
Lightning’s Offense Also Fell Flat
Tampa Bay didn’t exactly help the situation this postseason. The team scored just seven goals in their four losses to the Florida Panthers, leaving little room for offensive stars like Kucherov to make a difference. That said, part of being a superstar is stepping up when your team needs it most.
Playing Through Pain: Kucherov’s Injury
To be fair, Kucherov revealed he was playing through a left-hand extensor injury he suffered on Feb. 25. Despite the injury, he scored 11 goals and a league-best 36 points in 24 games after that. His ability to perform through pain shows his toughness and commitment.
“I just wanted to play hockey and be with the guys,” Kucherov told reporters, giving credit to his trainers for helping him stay on the ice.
A Career of Playoff Success
It’s also important to note that Kucherov has had plenty of playoff success in the past. In his career, he has 53 goals and 118 assists (171 points) in 152 playoff games. During Tampa Bay’s Stanley Cup runs from 2020 to 2022, he was elite—putting up 34, 32, and 27 points in those three years respectively.
So the drop in recent playoff performance shouldn’t erase his past achievements.
Kucherov is easily one of the best players in the world and deserves to be a Hart Trophy finalist. His regular-season numbers speak for themselves. But when it comes to playoff performance over the last three years, he hasn’t lived up to his usual standards.
Great players get praised for their highs—and should also be held accountable during their lows. If the Lightning want another shot at the Cup, they’ll need Kucherov not just at his best in the regular season, but also when it counts most—in the playoffs.
