Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper provided a couple updates on injuries to key players, saying that he thinks winger Nikita Kucherov will be able to play in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Colorado Avalanche, while center Brayden Point is doubtful for the game.
Kucherov suffered an injury in Game 3 after Avs defenseman Devon Toews cross-checked him, and he had to leave the game for good after shooting the puck tweaked it. He didn’t return to the game, but the fact that the score was 6-2 for the Lightning and the game was basically over also probably played a role in the decision.
Point has been dealing with a lower-body injury after an awkward fall in Game 7 of the first round of the playoffs against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He missed the following two rounds against the Florida Panthers and the New York Rangers before returning for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. He played in the first two games of the series in Colorado but tweaked the injury again and missed Game 3.
Getting at least one of the star players is a big win for a Lightning team looking to build off its 6-2 win in Game 3 to get back in the series with the Avalanche. Kucherov has seven goals and 26 points in 20 games this postseason, while Point has two goals and five points in nine games, with four of those coming in the seven-game series against Toronto.
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