Will Nikita Kucherov be the next NHL player to hit 1,000 career points? The Tampa Bay Lightning are closing in on the remaining handful of games in 2024, two of which are back-to-back matchups against the Florida Panthers. Tampa Bay came into their Sunday rendezvous with the Cats being winners of their last four. Superstar goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy collected three wins of his own in that span while also boasting a save percentage of .919. Vasilevskiy has had an encouraging season thus far, currently ranking fifth in wins (15) in the NHL. The 30-year-old star turned things around in December after winning only four of his 10 starts in November. Following that unsatisfactory month, Vasilevskiy has tallied five wins in seven games. Throughout that stretch, the Russian backstop has put forth a goals-against average of 2.17. Andrei Vasilevskiy [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjEwMDA3NTM5MzY0OTMwOTM4/usatsi_24467605.jpg] Andrei Vasilevskiy The winning play ended abruptly on Sunday when the Lightning faced their in-state rival, the Florida Panthers. Tampa Bay received goals from Nick Paul and Brayden Point but ultimately fell 4-2. Vasilevskiy racked up 22 saves on 25 shots in the losing effort. The Big Cat and the Bolts will get a chance at revenge tonight [https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/fla-vs-tbl/2024/12/23/2024020549] as they will face the Panthers once again on the road at the Amerant Bank Arena.
