• Associated Press

Oct 25, 2025, 08:10 PM ET

TAMPA, Fla. —

    • 1 Related

    Kucherov is also fourth-fastest player born outside of North America to reach the mark with Peter Stastny (682 GP), Jari Kurri (716 GP) and Jaromir Jagr (763 GP). Kucherov joins Steven Stamkos (1,137) as the only two players to reach 1,000 in Lightning franchise history.

    He’s the third player in NHL history to record his first 1,000 points with the same head coach in Jon Cooper, joining Bryan Trottier and Mike Bossy, who both accomplished the feat with Al Arbour and the New York Islanders.

    Kucherov then got an assist for point No. 1,001 on Anthony Cirelli‘s tiebreaking power-play goal with 3:15 remaining in the third period to give the Lightning the win.

    Kucherov scored his first career goal and point on his first career shift, beating Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers at the 2:12 mark of the first period on Nov. 25, 2013, which was Cooper’s first full season as Lightning coach.

    “It’s been a privilege to stand on the bench to watch him get 1,000,” Cooper said. “He’s a special, special player. He’s going to go down as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, player to play in this organization, and he’s got a lot of runway left in him.”