Will Nikita Kucherov be the next NHL player to hit 1,000 career points? The Tampa Bay Lightning [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning/] defeated the Florida Panthers last night by a 4-0 final score [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning/latest-news/lightning-shutout-panthers-4-0-in-second-of-back-to-back]. It was an impressive night for the Bolts, and they improved to a 19-11-2 record on the season. Lightning forward Nick Paul played a role [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning/latest-news/lightning-get-massive-news-about-important-forward] in the win, as he recorded an assist on Mitchell Chafee's first-period goal that gave Tampa Bay a 3-0 lead. With this assist, Paul now has five points over his last four games. In addition, he now has eight goals, 19 points, 23 hits, and a plus-4 rating in 26 games this season. This is after he set career highs with 24 goals, 22 assists, and 46 points in 82 games last campaign. Paul has undoubtedly hit a new level with the Bolts. The 6-foot-3 forward has become a more significant offensive force while maintaining his solid defensive play in the process. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjExNjI4OTg2MTU1OTM1NzIw/usatsi_25049385.jpg] With all of this, it is abundantly clear that the Lightning trade for Paul during the 2021-22 season has become a home run for them. They only traded forward Mathieu Joseph and a 2024 fourth-round pick to acquire him from the Ottawa Senators. When looking at how important of a player Paul has become for the Bolts, this is a move they would make again in a heartbeat. This is especially so when noting that they were able to sign him to a seven-year, $22.05 million contract extension. In 209 games since joining the Lightning, Paul has 54 goals, 111 points, and 277 hits.
