While most fans focused on Nikita Kucherov‘s fifth goal of the season, which gave the Tampa Bay Lightning a 2-0 lead at the 11 minute mark of the first period against the New York Islanders on Thursday, defenseman Victor Hedman set a new franchise record for the most assists in team history by a blueliner on that goal.
The previous record was held by former Lightning defenseman Dan Boyle, who is now retired. Boyle’s previous record sat at 187 assists before Hedman surpassed that mark last night.
With his assist on Kucherov’s goal, the 25-year-old Sweden native moved into sole possession of first place all-time in franchise history with 188 assists from a defenseman.