Will Nikita Kucherov be the next NHL player to hit 1,000 career points? According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman [https://x.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1863004802080227640?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet], Tampa Bay Lightning [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning/] superstar Nikita Kucherov will not be in the lineup for the club’s matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs. This is certainly a tough blow for the Lightning, as Kucherov is their top forward, and the Maple Leafs are one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference so far this season. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjExMDc3NzA5NjU1MTg5MDM5/usatsi_22532239-2.jpg] Kucherov has 12 goals and 34 points in 22 games this season with the Bolts.