TAMPA, Fla. – The longest point streak of the season for the Lightning does not belong to Nikita Kucherov or Steven Stamkos. Rather, it is Brandon Hagel.
Hagel will attempt to extend his streak to 15 games Thursday night when the Lightning host the Sabres. His assist on Nick Paul’s goal in a 6-2 loss at Philadelphia on Tuesday evening extended his streak to 14 games, which ties Stamkos (2022-23) for the second-longest in team history.
Stamkos holds the team record with an 18-game streak in 2009-10, his second season with the Lightning. He had 17 goals and 33 points during the streak.
Hagel is 9-12-21 during his streak. It is part of a larger run in which the 25-year-old left wing has at least one point in 17 of his last 18 games and 22 of 25. With 59 points in 61 games, Hagel is five points behind the career-best 64 he recorded last season.
Kucherov Maintains Points Lead
Nikita Kucherov’s assist on Stamkos’ third-period goal in Philadelphia was his league-leading 103rd point of the season. Kucherov, who has 38 goals and an NHL-high 65 assists, has a five-point lead over Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon. Both have played 60 games. Edmonton’s Connor McDavid has 91 points in 54 games.
Home cooking
Thursday night’s game against the Sabres opens a five-game homestand for the Bolts. Montreal (Saturday), Calgary (March 7), Philly (March 9) and the Rangers (March 14) follow.
The Lightning, who seek to snap a three-game home losing streak, are 18-8-3 at Amalie Arena.
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