Kucherov Surpasses McDavid & MacKinnon in NHL Scoring Race | 2025 Art Ross Update
Kucherov Surges Past McDavid in Art Ross Race After Dominant Lightning Victory
– Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning has overtaken Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers in the race for the Art Ross Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s leading scorer. The shift in the standings came after a commanding 5-2 victory for Tampa Bay over Edmonton at Rogers Place on Saturday night, fueled by a four-point performance from Kucherov.
Kucherov now leads the league with 118 points, two ahead of McDavid, who finished the night with 116. The Lightning star scored twice and added two assists, continuing a remarkable stretch of play that has propelled him to the top of the scoring charts. McDavid’s 399th career goal wasn’t enough to prevent the Oilers from falling to Tampa Bay.
The ascent to the top hasn’t been immediate. Kucherov entered 2026 trailing McDavid, but has since exploded offensively, amassing 67 points in 29 games since January 1st – the most prolific stretch by any player in the league during that span. This surge has transformed what was once a seemingly comfortable lead for McDavid into a tightly contested battle with Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche also firmly in contention.
“That kid’s on quite a run,” said Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper, reflecting on Kucherov’s recent form. “I don’t know how many players in this League have four points in a game period, let alone the amount of times he gets them. It’s pretty magnificent. It was pretty cool that he got his first shorty tonight; that was a lot of fun on the bench.”
Kucherov’s impact extended beyond the scoresheet. He scored Tampa Bay’s third and fourth goals and assisted on the Lightning’s first two, demonstrating his all-around offensive prowess. The game showcased a head-to-head matchup between the league’s two leading scorers, with Kucherov ultimately gaining the upper hand.
“I’m blessed to be able to observe him every night, and I love when we come out West and true hockey fans get to see him,” Cooper said. “Oilers fans are blessed to see Connor McDavid every night and Leon Draisaitl, and you get to throw ‘Kuch’ in the mix with the greats that play this game. It’s fun for everyone.”
Different Styles, Similar Results
Cooper, who has coached both Kucherov and McDavid, highlighted the contrasting styles of the two superstars. Having coached McDavid with Team Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics and the 4 Nations Face-Off, he’s had a unique vantage point. “They couldn’t be two more completely opposite players, yet they get the same things done,” Cooper explained. “Connor is a racehorse and Kuch, he thinks, he slows it down and plays at his own pace. They’re two elite, elite players; they just do it two different ways and they’re both impressive.”
Kucherov’s recent success also includes a five-game streak of recording at least three points on the road, placing him in rare company alongside hockey legends Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux. He has compiled 12 points across those five road games, contributing significantly to Tampa Bay’s recent winning streak.
Team Goals Remain the Priority
Despite taking the lead in the Art Ross Trophy race, Kucherov remains focused on the bigger picture. A three-time winner of the award (2019, 2024, 2025), he emphasized that the team’s ultimate goal is to win the Stanley Cup. “I don’t believe about it (Art Ross Trophy) too much,” Kucherov said. “Our goal is the Stanley Cup, and that’s what we’re focusing on here.”
The Lightning’s victory over the Oilers extends their winning streak to three games and solidifies their position in the Eastern Conference standings. With both Tampa Bay and Edmonton entering the final stretch of the regular season, the battle for playoff positioning will be fiercely contested. The Art Ross race, now a three-horse contest with MacKinnon also in the mix, adds another layer of intrigue to the remaining games.
As of March 11, 2026, the scoring leaders were: Connor McDavid (110 points), Nikita Kucherov (104 points), and Nathan MacKinnon (104 points). However, Kucherov’s recent surge has clearly altered the landscape, and the final weeks of the season promise to be a thrilling showdown between these three elite players.