Lightning Star Nikita Kucherov Hits Major Milestone with Goal vs. Sabres

Kucherov becomes 8th Russian-born player to reach 400 career NHL goals

Apr. 7, 2026 at 8:39am

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting depicting Nikita Kucherov's 400th NHL goal, with the hockey players, puck, and equipment deconstructed into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in vibrant colors.Nikita Kucherov's milestone 400th NHL goal is captured in a cubist, geometric rendering that reflects the dynamic energy of the moment.Today in Tampa

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov reached a career milestone on Monday night, scoring his 400th career NHL goal in a 4-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. Kucherov's tally came on the power play in the first period, making him the eighth Russian-born player to reach the 400-goal mark and the second player in Lightning history to do so, joining teammate Steven Stamkos.

Why it matters

Kucherov's milestone goal is a significant achievement, cementing his status as one of the elite scorers in the NHL. As the Lightning and Sabres battle for position atop the Atlantic Division, Kucherov's continued offensive production will be crucial for Tampa Bay's playoff push.

The details

Kucherov's 400th goal came with assists from Jake Guentzel and Darren Raddysh. The 32-year-old forward now has 126 points on the season, tying him with Connor McDavid for the NHL scoring lead. Despite Kucherov's milestone, the Sabres controlled the game, with goals from Jason Zucker, Josh Norris, Alex Tuch, and an empty-netter from Jack Quinn.

  • Kucherov's 400th goal came in the first period of Monday's game against the Sabres.

The players

Nikita Kucherov

A 32-year-old Russian-born forward for the Tampa Bay Lightning, Kucherov is an elite scorer in the NHL and is pursuing his fourth Art Ross Trophy as the league's top scorer.

Steven Stamkos

The captain of the Tampa Bay Lightning and the franchise's all-time leading goal scorer with 555 goals.

Connor McDavid

The star center for the Edmonton Oilers, who is currently tied with Kucherov for the NHL scoring lead with 126 points.

Jake Guentzel

A forward for the Tampa Bay Lightning who assisted on Kucherov's 400th goal.

Darren Raddysh

A defenseman for the Tampa Bay Lightning who also assisted on Kucherov's milestone goal.

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What they’re saying

“Reaching 400 goals in the NHL is an incredible accomplishment, and Nikita Kucherov deserves all the praise for his consistent excellence over the years.”

— Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning Captain

What’s next

The Lightning will look to bounce back from the loss when they travel to Ottawa to face the Senators on Tuesday.

The takeaway

Nikita Kucherov's 400th career goal is a testament to his elite scoring ability and cements his status as one of the NHL's premier offensive talents. As the Lightning and Sabres battle for division supremacy, Kucherov's continued production will be crucial for Tampa Bay's playoff aspirations.