Video: TBL@EDM: Kucherov scores on breakaway

FIRST STAR - NIKITA KUCHEROV, RW, TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Kucherov topped the NHL with 21 assists and 30 points in 14 outings (9-21-30), averaging 2.14 points per game to power the League-leading Lightning (31-7-2, 64 points) to a 13-0-1 December - franchise records for wins and points in any calendar month. Kucherov, who also set Tampa Bay records for assists and points in a single month, became the first NHL player to register 30-plus points in any calendar month since Jaromir Jagr achieved the feat with the Pittsburgh Penguins in March 2001 (15-16-31 in 15 GP). Kucherov did so by finding the scoresheet in all but one of his 14 December appearances, including 11 straight to close the month (7-16-23). That was highlighted by 1-4-5 Dec. 22 at EDM, career highs for assists and points in a game as well as the 12th five-point performance in Lightning history. The 25-year-old Maykop, Russia, native paces the NHL with 46 assists and 65 points in 40 total games this season. He also sits second in the League with 23 power-play points (8-15-23), 10 of which came in December (4-6-10).