* Nikita Kucherov became the ninth-fastest player to 700 career assists – and just the second active skater on that list – as the Lightning picked up where they left off and extended their winning streak to six games.

* A pair of Pacific Division showdowns featured a combined 21 goals as the Golden Knights scored five times in the third period to strengthen their lead atop the division, while the Ducks overcame three separate deficits en route to their League-leading eighth multi-goal comeback win of the season.

* A 12-game slate is headlined by an ESPN doubleheader that opens with the Flyers visiting the Rangers and caps off with Leon Draisaitl and the Oilers battling Artemi Panarin and the Kings at Crypto.com Arena.

KUCHEROV REACHES 700 CAREER ASSISTS, LIGHTNING KEEP STREAKING

Nikita Kucherov (1-2—3) scored his 30th goal of the season, reached the 700-assist milestone and recorded his 120th career three-point game, while Andrei Vasilevskiy (32 saves) extended his point streak to 14 contests to help Tampa Bay extend its win streak to six and its overall home win streak to 10. The Lightning (38-14-4) required their third-fewest games in a season to 80 points (56 GP), trailing 2021-22 (55 GP) and 2018-19 (52 GP).

* Kucherov, who improved the NHL’s longest active point streak to 11 games, recorded his ninth career 30-goal season, which tied Steven Stamkos for the most in Lightning history. Along with Stamkos, Kucherov also tied Auston Matthews and Connor McDavid for the third-most 30-goal seasons among active players. The list is topped by Alex Ovechkin (19) and Sidney Crosby (13).

* Kucherov – the first player to record 700 helpers with the Lightning – became the ninth-fastest player in NHL history to reach the mark (855 GP) and overtook Crosby (856 GP) as the second-fastest active player, behindMcDavid(699 GP). He also required the second-fewest contests by a player born outside of North America to reach the milestone, behind Peter Stastny (784 GP).

*Wednesday’s contest marked Kucherov’s 120th career three-point game, which passed Evgeni Malkin (119) for the fourth most by an active player. OnlyCrosby (189), McDavid (147) and Ovechkin (141) have more.

* Vasilevskiy improved his record in 2026 to 13-0-1 (14 GP) and tied the fourth-longest point streak to begin a calendar year, a list he was also added to in 2020 when he opened the year 15-0-1 (16 GP). The only longer runs were recorded by Frank Brimsek (19 GP in 1941), Vasilevskiy himself (16 GP in 2020), Martin Gerber (15 GP in 2007) and Pete Peeters (15 GP in 1983).

. . . WHILE A PAIR OF CENTRAL DIVISION STARS ALSO HIT THE 30-GOAL MARK
Nikita Kucherov wasn’t the only player to hit 30 goals Wednesday night as Colorado’s Brock Nelson (1-0—1) and Dallas’ Wyatt Johnston (2-0—2) also reached the mark to help their respective clubs to wins. The 2025-26 season is the fourth in the past 15 years to feature 12 or more players with 30-plus goals through this stage of a season (916 GP). The others: 2022-23 (16), 2023-24 (14) and 2018-19 (14).

* Nelson scored one of his team’s four goals to register his fourth career 30-goal season as the Avalanche (38-9-9, 85 points) bested the Central Division-rival Mammoth (30-24-4, 64 points) and bolstered their lead atop the League standings. Nelson became the second player in NHL history to record each of his first four 30-goal seasons at age 30 or older, joining Johnny Bucyk (7).
 

* Johnston scored twice to reach and eclipse the 30-goal mark as the Stars (35-14-9, 79 points) extended their winning streak to seven games – tied for the second longest in franchise history – and leapfrogged the idle Wild (34-14-10, 78 points) for second in the Central Division standings. Johnston recorded his third career 30-goal season and tied Brian Bellows for the most by a Stars/North Stars player at age 22 or younger. He also notched his 19th power-play goal of 2025-26 and surpassed Mike Modano (18 in 1993-94) for the most in a single season in Stars team history.

GOLDEN KNIGHTS, DUCKS SKATE TO HIGH-SCORING WINS
The Golden Knights and Ducks scored six goals apiece in high-scoring, back-and-forth wins to strengthen their respective positions in the Pacific Division. Vegas (28-16-14, 70 points) built a five-point lead atop the Pacific while Anaheim (31-23-3, 65 points) overtook Edmonton (28-23-8, 64 points) and Seattle (27-21-9, 63 points) to move into second place in the division.

* After Artemi Panarin (0-2—2) became the first Kings skater since Sean Durzi (1-1—2 on Nov. 24, 2021) to record multiple points in their team debut, the Golden Knights responded with a five-goal surge in the final frame and tied their franchise mark for goals in a period. Pavel Dorofeyev (2-0—2) became the seventh player in Golden Knights history to record 10 multi-goal games – five of which have come this season alone.

* Leo Carlsson (1-2—3) recorded his seventh career three-point game and surpassed Mason McTavish for the second most by a Ducks player age 21 or younger behind Paul Kariya (12 GP), while Cutter Gauthier (1-0—1) netted the winning tally with 1:14 remaining in regulation to help the Ducks earn their League-leading eighth multi-goal comeback win of the season. Anaheim scored three tying goals in a game for the fifth time this season and improved to 4-0-1 in those contests.

THOMPSON HIGHLIGHTED IN #NHLSTATS: LIVE UPDATES
After sharing a pre-game moment alongside Devils forward and Team USA teammate Jack Hughes, Tage Thompson (1-1—2) factored on both Sabres goals to help Buffalo improve to 22-5-2 (46 points) since Dec. 9, tied with Tampa Bay (22-3-2, 46 points) for the most wins and points in the NHL over that span. Find more notes on Thompson and the rest of Wednesday’s eight-game slate in #NHLStats: Live Updates.

* ICYMI: Gold-medalOlympianHughes was honored tonight by the Blitzer family, owners of the Devils, and New Jersey state governor Mikie Sherrill. In recognition of his historic win, the Blitzer family donated $86,000 to ‘Hockey in New Jersey,’ a longtime Hockey Is For Everyone organization and proud partner of the Hughes Brothers’ Pucks & Pages reading program.

* Earlier this month, the NHL Foundation U.S. donated $50,000 to ‘Hockey in New Jersey’ and the PWHL’s New York Sirens announced that forward Elle Hartje joined ‘Hockey in New Jersey’ as the organization’s first-ever female ambassador. ‘Hockey in New Jersey’ is a nonprofit organization that has been part of the community for more than 20 years and provides year-round hockey programming for more than 1,000 girls and boys each year.
 

QUICK CLICKS

* Samuel Girard traded to Penguins by Avalanche for Brett Kulak

* Auston Matthews, Connor Hellebuyck changed legacies with gold medal at Olympics

* Artemi Panarin gifts Kings mascot Rolex watch to share number

* Sidney Crosby out at least 4 weeks for Penguins
* Jon Cooper to miss 2 games as Lightning coach after father’s death

ESPN DOUBLEHEADER HEADLINES 12-GAME THURSDAY AS MORE TEAMS RETURN TO ICE

Several other teams make their return to NHL action during Thursday’s 12-game slate, highlighted by a pair of divisional duels on ESPN between the Metropolitan’s Flyers and Rangers as well as the Pacific’s Oilers and Kings. As Artemi Panarin aims to follow up his productive Kings debut, the other side of the ice will see Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard look to hit season plateaus.

* After notching 0-2—2 in his Kings debut Wednesday, Panarin takes the ice again at Crypto.com Arena. The newest member of Los Angeles can become the fourth player to record multiple points in each of his first two career games with the franchise, following Wayne Gretzky (4 GP in 1988-89), Anze Kopitar (2 GP in 2006-07) and Bob Berry (2 GP in 1970-71).

* Draisaitl (29-51—80 in 56 GP) needs one tally to record his eighth career 30-goal season. He would tie Connor McDavid and Glenn Anderson (both w/ 8) for the third-most consecutive 30-goal campaigns in Oilers history, behind only Jari Kurri (10) and Gretzky (9). He would also join McDavid, Alex Ovechkin (15) and Auston Matthews (9) as the only active players with a run of that length. Meanwhile, Bouchard (16-49—65 in 59 GP) is one assist shy of joining Paul Coffey (6) as the second Edmonton defenseman with three straight 50-assist seasons. The only active blueliners to do so are Quinn Hughes (5), Adam Fox (4), John Carlson (3) and Erik Karlsson (3).

MORE MATCHUPS, PLAYER STREAKS TO TAKE NOTE OF THURSDAY

The rest of Thursday’s docket has more stats and storylines to look out for as teams jockey for playoff positioning on the other side of the Olympic break.
 

* A critical Central Division clash has Quinn Hughes and the Wild (34-14-10, 78 points) putting their streaks on the line when they try to narrow the standings gap on the League-leading Avalanche (38-9-9, 85 points) – a spot they have held for 94 consecutive game days. Hughes, riding a 10-game point and assist streak, can match Mark Howe (11 GP in 1979-80 w/ HFD) for the second-longest point streak by a defenseman in their first season with a franchise, behind only Steve Duchesne (15 GP in 1992-93 w/ QUE).

* Charlie McAvoy and Zach Werenski can both extend their point streaks to eight games when Boston (32-20-5, 69 points) and Columbus (29-20-7, 65 points), which eyes an eighth straight win, clash – the teams are separated by just four points for the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. Werenski would match his own run from 2024-25 for the longest by a defenseman in Blue Jackets history, while McAvoy would also match the longest of his career (2021-22 & 2020-21) – the last Bruins blueliner other than McAvoy with a streak of that length: Ray Bourque (8 GP in 1995-96).

* Matthew Schaefer and the Islanders (32-21-5, 69 points) face fellow rookie Ivan Demidov and the Canadiens (32-17-8, 72 points) as both clubs look to solidify their top-three position in their respective divisions. Schaefer (16-23—39 in 58 GP) needs one point to become the third defenseman in NHL history to record 40 career points before his 19th birthday, following Phil Housley (57) and Rasmus Dahlin (44). Demidov (12-34—46 in 57 GP), the League’s rookie scoring leader, looks to build his case for the Calder Trophy and hopes to follow Lane Hutson (2024-25) as the second straight Canadiens player to win the award. The last team to have the Calder Trophy winner in consecutive seasons was the Bruins (Derek Sanderson in 1967-68 & Bobby Orr in 1966-67).

* Ottawa will also be in action tonight when it duels Detroit in an Atlantic Division fixture. Dr. Natalie Durand-Bush is the mental performance consultant with the Senators and will be featured Thursday as part of the Women in Hockey series presented by Canadian Tire. Dr. Durand-Bush brings 30-plus years of applied research and experience in high performance sport to her role. She works directly with players, optimizing their mental performance to thrive on and off the ice. Ottawa will celebrate its Women in Sports night tonight.

The 2025-26 NHL Trade Deadline is 3 p.m. ET on Friday, March 6. Click here to view the 2025-26 NHL Trade Tracker, which lists official deals since July 1, 2025.

The #NHLStats Pack: 2025-26 NHL Trade Deadline includes:

* Trade Deadline Activity, 1979-80 to 2023-24
* By the Numbers
* Most Points, Remainder of Season by Players Traded on Deadline Day, Since 1979-80
* 2025 Deadline Day Acquisitions: Most Points, Remainder of Season
* Most Points, Ensuing Playoffs by Players Traded on Deadline Day, Since 1979-80
* Most Years Traded on Deadline Day, Since 1979-80
* Years a Player was Traded Multiple Times on Same Deadline Day, Since 1979-80
* First-Round Picks Traded on Deadline Day, Past 20 Years
* Deadline Day Acquisitions by Stanley Cup Champions, Since 1979-80
* Players Acquired on Deadline Day, By Franchise, Since 1979-80
* Olympians Traded Post-Olympics — NEW THIS YEAR
* Trade-by-Trade: Deadline Day Activity, Since 1979-80
* Register – Players Traded on Deadline Day, Since 1979-80

DOWNLOAD THE PDF FOR MORE INFORMATION

BY THE NUMBERS
1,340 – Number of players traded on deadline day since 1979-80. This excludes players involved in trades later invalidated by the NHL (one deal in 2022, one in 2009 and one in 1999).

740 – Number of trades on deadline day since 1979-80. This excludes trades later invalidated by the NHL (one deal in 2022, one in 2009 and one in 1999).

547 – Number of draft picks traded on deadline day since 1979-80. This excludes conditional picks where conditions were not met.

164 – Number of players traded multiple times on deadline day, including 14 dealt twice on the same date.

55 – The highest number of different players dealt on a single deadline day, with 55 traded in 2010 and again in 2020. In 2020, deadline day trades involved 57 players but two were dealt twice: Robin Lehner (CHI to TOR, TOR to VGK) and Martins Dzierkals (TOR to CHI, CHI to VGK), who each landed in Vegas via Toronto and Chicago, respectively.

41 – Age of the oldest players traded on trade deadline day, of which there were two. Mark Recchi, acquired by the Bruins on March 4, 2009 (41 years, 31 days), and Ron Francis, acquired by the Maple Leafs on March 9, 2004 (41 years, 8 days).

36 – The number of players traded in-season after representing their country at the Olympic Winter Games, including 23 who were dealt on deadline day. Details in the “Olympians Traded Post-Olympics” list in the PDF.

30 – Number of players since 1979-80 who have won the Stanley Cup after being acquired by a team on deadline day of that season, with Brad Marchand the most recent to achieve the feat (FLA in 2024-25). These players are denoted in the “Deadline Day Trades by Stanley Cup Champions” list in the PDF.

18 – Age of the youngest players to be dealt on deadline day since 1979-80: Hudson Fasching (18 years, 220 days in 2013-14; LAK to BUF), Filip Forsberg (18 years, 233 days in 2012-13; WSH to NSH), Tyrone Garner (18 years, 234 days in 1996-97; NYI to CGY), Eric O’Dell (18 years, 256 days in 2008-09; ANA to ATL) and Michael Chaput (18 years, 325 days in 2010-11; PHI to CBJ).

10 – Number of times Mike Sillinger was traded in his career, the most in NHL history. His tally includes two deadline day deals: 2001 (FLA to OTT) and 2000 (TBL to FLA).

6 – Number of active general managers traded on deadline day since 1979-80: Bill Guerin (2009 & 2007), Steve Staios (2010), Mike Grier (2004), Craig Conroy (2001), Tom Fitzgerald (1998) and Jim Nill (1982).

6 – The most players involved in a single trade on deadline day since 1979-80. In 1991, the Blues traded Geoff Courtnall, Robert Dirk, Sergio Momesso, Cliff Ronning and future considerations to the Canucks for Dan Quinn and Garth Butcher. In 2013, the Blue Jackets traded Derek Dorsett, Derick Brassard, John Moore and their sixth-round pick in 2014 to the Rangers for Marian Gaborik, Blake Parlett and Steven Delisle. In 2025, the highest number of players involved in a two-team trade was four (three trades).

5 – The most draft picks involved in a single trade on deadline day since 1979-80. A trade between the Stars and Kings on deadline day in 2007 saw five picks swapped: Dallas traded Jaroslav Modry and Johan Fransson along with its second- and third-round picks in 2007 and its first-round pick in 2008 to Los Angeles for Mattias Norstrom, Konstantin Pushkarev and the Kings’ third- and fourth-round picks in 2007. In 2025, the highest such number was four (CAR-DAL).

5 – Number of first-round draft picks Steve Yzerman has acquired or traded on deadline day, the most among all active general managers. Yzerman acquired two first-round picks at the 2014 deadline (via NYR) and one in 2021 (via WSH) while trading one away in 2018 (to NYR) and 2015 (to PHI).

4 – Number of active head coaches who were traded on deadline day since 1979-80: Martin St. Louis (2014), Adam Foote (2008), Craig Berube (1999), Lindy Ruff (1989).

4 – The highest number of players acquired on deadline day who wound up engraving their name on the Stanley Cup later that season. In 1993-94, the Rangers picked up five players on deadline day, including Glenn Anderson, Craig MacTavish, Stephane Matteau and Brian Noonan who were part of the championship roster.

1 – Number of players acquired on deadline day since 1979-80 who have gone on to score the Stanley Cup-clinching goal later that season, with Artturi Lehkonen becoming the first with Colorado (from MTL) in 2022.

0 – Number of teams that have acquired a goaltender on deadline day since 1979-80 and had that goaltender earn the Stanley Cup-clinching victory later that season. Only four champions in that time frame have acquired a goaltender on deadline day: the 1981 Islanders (Jari Kaarela), 1988 Oilers (Bill Ranford; won Cup), 2011 Bruins (Anton Khudobin) and 2024 Panthers (Magnus Hellberg).

* Nikita Kucherov can reach the 700-assist milestone when the Lightning host the Maple Leafs on TNT and Sportsnet as NHL action returns tonight.

* Anze Kopitar continues his pursuit of the Kings points record while Artemi Panarin gets set to make his team debut when the Kings host the Pacific Division-leading Golden Knights in the second half of a doubleheader on TNT.

* Storylines for all 16 teams returning to regular-season action Wednesday are already available in #NHLStats: Live Updates, with highlights including Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin within striking distance of moving up the NHL’s list for most home goals.
 

NHL RETURNS WITH MAPLE LEAFS-LIGHTNING ON TNT, SPORTSNET

Nikita Kucherov and the Atlantic Division-topping Lightning (37-14-4, 78 points) return to the ice when they welcome William Nylander and the Maple Leafs (27-21-9, 63 points) into town as Toronto continues to chase a playoff position. Toronto currently holds the longest active streak of postseason appearances with nine, while Tampa Bay is tied for second (also COL) with eight.

* The Maple Leafs can become the first team to qualify for 10 straight postseasons since the Penguins from 2006-07 to 2021-22. Looking to help the cause is Toronto’s leading scorer this season, Nylander(18-34—52 in 40 GP), who represented Team Sweden at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 and has recorded a team-high 17 multi-point games in 2025-26. He needs one more to tie fellow Swede, Borje Salming (175), for the sixth most in franchise history.

* Kucherov (29-62—91 in 51 GP) comes into the contest third in points and tied for the most assists this season while also being just one shy of his 700th career assist. Kucherov (854 GP) can become the ninth-fastest player in NHL history to reach the milestone and can overtake Sidney Crosby (856 GP) as the second-fastest active player to hit the mark, behind only Connor McDavid (699 GP).

KOPITAR CONTINUES CHASE OF KINGS RECORD, PANARIN SET FOR LOS ANGELES DEBUT

Anze Kopitar will continue his pursuit of the Kings points record and Artemi Panarin will make his team debut when Los Angeles (23-19-14, 60 points) hosts the Pacific Division-leading Golden Knights (27-16-14, 68 points). The Kings, who have made the playoffs each of the past four seasons, enter Wednesday looking to gain ground on the Ducks (30-23-3, 63 points), who are also in action, for the final Wild Card spot.
 
* Kopitar (446-854—1,300 in 1,495 GP) is eight points shy of passing Marcel Dionne (550-757—1,307 in 921 GP) for the most in Kings history – a mark Dionne has held for more than 45 years – and can become the 10th active player to lead a franchise in points. Kopitar, who averages over a point per game against Vegas (1.13 P/GP), also enters the contest one multi-point game away from passing Luc Robitaille (321 GP) for the second most in franchise history behind Dionne (392 GP).

* Panarin is set to make his Los Angeles debut after being traded to the Kings by the Rangers on Feb. 4. Panarin, who has found the score sheet in each of his previous three franchise debuts (1-0—1 on Oct. 7, 2015 w/ CHI, 0-3—3 on Oct. 6, 2017 w/ CBJ & 1-1—2 on Oct. 3, 2019 w/ NYR), needs three points to record his 10th career 60-point season (19-38—57 in 52 GP), which would be tied for the seventh most by an undrafted player (since the draft was first introduced in 1964).

* Panarin is one of several players that have been traded ahead of the 2025-26 NHL Trade Deadline on March 6 (3 p.m. ET). 

#NHLStats Pack: 2025-26 NHL Trade Deadline

AROUND THE RINKS: STORYLINES TO FOLLOW TONIGHT

An eight-game Wednesday will feature 16 teams returning to regular-season action. Visit today’s #NHLStats: Live Updates for notes on every team. Some highlights include:

* Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals (29-23-7, 65 points) will welcome the Flyers (25-20-11, 61 points), having won each of their past three home games versus Philadelphia and while sitting four points back of both third in the Metropolitan Division and the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Capitals captain enters Wednesday one goal away from passing Gordie Howe (449) for the second most home goals in NHL history, behind only Wayne Gretzky (492). 

* Cutter Gauthier and the Ducks play host to the Oilers in a Pacific Division showdown. Gauthier is currently leading Anaheim with 25-24—49 (55 GP) and is one shy of his first 50-point season. The Ducks (30-23-3, 63 points) currently hold the second Wild Card position in the Western Conference. This marks the latest point in a season that the club has occupied a playoff spot since 2017-18, when they finished the campaign second in the Pacific Division. 

* An all-Canadian match-up between the Jets and Canucks will feature each of their respective scoring leaders on the cusp of milestones; Mark Scheifele (27-41—68) can record his third consecutive 70-point season and become the third Jets/Thrashers player to accomplish the feat, behind Ilya Kovalchuk (5 from 2003-04 to 2008-09) and Blake Wheeler (4 from 2015-16 to 2018-19). Vancouver forward Elias Pettersson (198-293—491 in 520 GP) is two away from 200 career goals and can become the fourth-fastest Canucks skater to reach the mark.

* Rasmus Dahlin and the Sabres return to action having won 21 of their past 28 games dating to Dec. 9 when it started a franchise record-tying 10-game winning streak – tied with the Lightning for the most wins and points in the NHL over that span. Dahlin will carry a seven-game point streak into the contest – he can match the longest of his career (8 GP in 2023-24) and become the second defenseman in Sabres history to record multiple point streaks of that length, joining Phil Housley (6x; longest 14 GP in 1989-90). 

QUICK CLICKS

* Pivotal stretch for NHL players, teams following Olympics

* Trade Deadline, playoff races among top storylines after Olympic break

* Mikko Rantanen expected back before end of regular season for Stars

* Great Britain making big gains thanks to European Cup of Nations

* Samuel Girard traded to Penguins by Avalanche for Brett Kulak

* Team USA celebration continues with White House visit, ‘Today’ appearances

* Aleksander Barkov ‘really happy’ with recovery from knee surgery, makes donation in excess of $1 million