Lightning rounding into playoff form as Kucherov chases fourth scoring title

Tampa Bay Lightning's Nikita Kucherov, right, and Charle-Edward D'Astous celebrate Kucherov's goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks in Vancouver, on Thursday, March 19, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

VANCOUVER — The NHL’s two top scorers in the 2025-26 season will go head-to-head Saturday night as the Tampa Bay Lightning continue their four-game Pacific Division road trip in Edmonton.

After a five-point night in Seattle, Nikita Kucherov added a goal and two assists in the Lightning’s 6-2 win in Vancouver on Thursday. Next up, he’ll challenge Connor McDavid in the Art Ross Trophy race.

McDavid, who has five scoring titles in his 11-year NHL career, was held pointless as the Oilers were shut out by the Florida Panthers on Thursday. He has 115 points in 69 games this season.

Kucherov, who has three Art Rosses to his name, will land in Edmonton with 114 points and plenty of positive momentum. Since Jan. 1, he has a staggering 63 points in 28 games, leading the league. McDavid is second, with 45 points in 29 games.

Before the Olympic break, the Lightning were the hottest team in the league, amassing a 19-1-1 record. But the veteran team stumbled to a 2-6 record upon returning before starting to round back into form. Heading into Edmonton, they’ve won three of four and started the road trip with identical 6-2 wins.

On Thursday in Vancouver, they clearly outmatched the league’s last-place Canucks.

“They’re so skilful,” said Canucks forward Linus Karlsson, who chipped in his 13th goal of the year in the third period.

“They do those seam passes. Every player on their team is so good with the puck. They make plays everywhere and it’s hard to defend.”

After Jake Guentzel opened the scoring with his 30th of the year in the first period, the Lightning broke the game open early in the second, with three goals in quick succession.

Moving on a line with Kucherov and Brandon Hagel in Seattle, Anthony Cirelli logged his second-straight three-point night.

“It’s easy when you get to play with two guys in Kuch and Hages,” Cirelli said.

“They’re just two world-class players and make so many plays. Their work ethic of just staying on the forecheck, coming up with pucks — I just try and go to the net for them.”

Canucks coach Adam Foote believes that work ethic is something that Canucks need to make a part of their game.

“They’ve been playing a lot of years together, so they’re connected,” Foote said. “One thing, I think, is the grit and the 50/50 battles — how hard they’re in on pucks.

“We’re losing those 50/50s or those scrums and when they kick it out there, they’re beating you to the net. You have to extend coverage. It’s just being savvy.”

After Thursday’s games, the Lightning sit sixth overall in the NHL standings with 86 points. But they’re locked in a tight battle for positioning in the Atlantic Division — four points behind the Buffalo Sabres and just two ahead of the Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings (all 84 points).

After Edmonton, their road trip concludes Sunday in Calgary.

“We’ve got a tough back-to-back here coming up,” said Lightning coach Jon Cooper. “Let’s get a little rest here, but it’s been nice to get the four points so far.”

After delivering a 5-2 win over the Florida Panthers on Tuesday, the Canucks have now gone more than a year without winning consecutive games on home ice. The last time they did so was March 5 and 7, 2025.

Vancouver will play the sixth game of its eight-game homestand when the St. Louis Blues come to town Saturday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 20, 2026.

Carol Schram, The Canadian Press