Lightning star Nikita Kucherov enters COVID-19 protocol
Tampa Bay Lightning four-time All-Star Nikita Kucherov missed nearly three months of action earlier this season after undergoing lower-body surgery. The 28-year-old finally returned to the ice on Jan. 6, but now is in danger of missing more time.
Kucherov has played in just 11 games this season, recording five goals and 12 assists for 17 points. At 28-10-5, the Lightning are currently tied with the Florida Panthers (28-9-5) and Colorado Avalanche (29-8-3) for the most points in the NHL at 61, and with Kucherov on the ice, the Lightning are 8-3-0.
Kucherov missed the entire 2020-2021 regular season after undergoing hip surgery but returned for last year's Stanley Cup run. The first seven years of his career were filled with numerous accolades.
The former second-round pick led the NHL with a plus/minus of 38 during the 2014-2015 season, and he led all skaters with 17 power-play goals in the 2016-2017 campaign. Kucherov's best numbers came during his 2018-2019 season, though, as he led the NHL in assists (87) and points (128) on his way to earning the Hart Memorial Trophy, Art Ross Trophy and the Ted Linday Award at the end of the year.
Kucherov has racked up 226 goals and 338 assists for 564 points across 526 career games. The wing has led the NHL in playoff scoring in each of the last two postseasons, collecting 34 points during the Tampa Bay's run to the 2020 title and 32 points in the 2021 Stanley Cup run.
The Lightning will next play at 7:00 p.m. ET on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils.
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