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Lightning have no update on Nikita Kucherov's injury, status for Game 7
The Tampa Bay Lightning were unable to offer an update on forward Nikita Kucherov or his status for Game 7 against the New York Islanders, Elliott Friedman tweeted on Thursday morning.
Kucherov exited after his very first shift of Tampa Bay's 3-2 overtime loss to New York on Wednesday evening. The Lightning's leading scorer tried to continue his shift after being cross-checked by Isles defenseman Scott Mayfield but toppled over in obvious pain after trying to lay a hit on New York's Mathew Barzal just moments later. Kucherov left the game at the 2:22 mark never to return.
Mayfield went on to score the game-tying goal for the Islanders at the 11:16 mark of the third period. Anthony Beauvillier scored the game-winning goal.
Kucherov's injury remains unspecified, although Lightning head coach Jon Cooper sounded convinced in his post-game comments that the cross-check from Mayfield was responsible for the injury. He was also unhappy the check went unpenalized by the referees.
"It would be weird to say it wasn't malicious," Cooper commented to the press about the check. "I don't think that's in the rule book, that cross-checks have to be malicious. I just know it happened really close to one of the officials, and he didn't see it."
Fellow Lightning forward Steven Stamkos agreed.
"The play on Kuch, the ref doesn't see it. Probably a guy looking for a cheap shot there," he said. "I think (the refs) said they didn't think it was malicious. They don't have a chance to look at it on replay like we do."
Any kind of injury deals a blow to the Cup-defending Bolts, who were without Kucherov for the entire regular season as he recuperated from preseason hip surgery. Since returning to play in Game 1 of the first round, he leads the NHL with 27 points (five goals, 22 assists) in 17 games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
"It's next man up," Cooper said of the possibility Kucherov could miss the pivotal Game 7 matchup. "We've been down this path for four months. We won games with him and we won them without him."
Game 7 between the Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Islanders will take place Friday in Florida.
More must-reads:
- Islanders' Mathew Barzal avoids suspension, receives fine
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- The '2003-04 Tampa Bay Lightning' quiz
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Two Rivals Emerge as Trade Suitors for Penguins' Erik Karlsson: Report
The Pittsburgh Penguins have been a team that opposing sides have been watching all offseason long. Pittsburgh has a few veteran players who could be on the move via trade, and it could see the front office be very active. With the Penguins in full rebuild mode, the team seems to be looking ahead to the future. One player that has been discussed in different deals is veteran defenseman Erik Karlsson. Karlsson still has two years remaining on his current contract, including this upcoming season. The veteran is owed $11.5 million in each year, so any team that would trade for him would need to take on his high salary. According to NHL insider Shayna Goldman, the options for the Penguins in any potential Karlsson trade have started to dwindle. But the Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators were mentioned as potential options to land the star defender. Last season with the Penguins, Karlsson scored 11 goals and 42 assists over 82 games. Karlsson showed impressive production for Pittsburgh, and he could be a valuable asset to any team that would trade for him. At this point in his career, Karlsson likely wants to play for a contending team. Both the Hurricanes and Senators could provide him with this, with both sides making the playoffs last season. Pittsburgh could likely net some strong future assets in any Karlsson deal, giving them more of a path forward. Trading for a player like Karlsson could be risky due to his age, but this could also be a move to help push a team over the hump in the quest to win a Stanley Cup title.
Stephanie White Puts Indiana Fever Players on Notice Despite Win Against Aces
The Indiana Fever’s starters turned in a strong all-around effort in Thursday’s 80-70 win over the Las Vegas Aces. The starting unit scored at least 13 points each, save for Aari McDonald, who registered nine points in 22 minutes of action. Indiana’s starters combined for 76 out of the team’s 80 points on the evening, which only means that the four other players who came off the bench accounted for just four points in the game. All that came from Sydney Colson, who went 2-of-5 in 18 minutes of playing time. Lexie Hull, Makayla Timpson and Damiris Dantas all failed to score in the win. Stephanie White Calls Out Fever's Bench Be that as it may, offense wasn’t even the biggest concern for head coach Stephanie White. In her postgame press conference, the veteran shot-caller called out Indiana’s bench for their lack of intensity on the defensive end, particularly in the first half. “Our bench has to be ready,” she said. “I felt like our bench in the second half was really good defensively. In the first half, I didn't feel that way. You got to be ready to come in and you got to be ready to guard your matchup and execute the game plan. "We have depth for a reason. We've got quality depth and we've got to be able to use it. So if fatigue is a factor in execution, then they just need to ask for a sub and I'll get them out and get them back in." It has been a bit of a busy stretch for the Fever at the midway point of the season. Thursday’s matchup against the Aces was their second game in three nights, and they will be back in action again on Sunday in a rivalry showdown against the Chicago Sky. White, however, isn’t accepting fatigue as an excuse. This is regardless of the fact that Caitlin Clark remains out with a re-aggravated groin injury. White is adamant that this roster has been built for adversity, and she didn’t hesitate to put her bench on notice after Thursday’s showing.
All signs point to Yankees moving on from Anthony Volpe
With the trade for Ryan McMahon now complete, it would seem New York Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman has fulfilled one of his three priorities. He can now cross third base off the list, which leaves the rotation and bullpen as his remaining priorities. However, according to one Yankees writer, Cashman might not be done with the infield. Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reported this after the McMahon trade: “The Yankees may not be done adding to their infield. A team source said the Yankees are interested in adding a right-handed hitter who could play the infield.” Kirschner adds that the Yankees have had interest in Willi Castro and Amed Rosario. But the question now is, how would another player fit into the Yankees’ infield? Needless to say, Paul Goldschmidt and Jazz Chisholm Jr. aren’t going anywhere, and McMahon is just getting there. That leaves the low-hanging fruit. Anthony Volpe has been at the center of controversy all this season. His 13 errors, many of which had come at make-or-break moments, amount to the second-highest total in the game. In addition, his bat has not been able to compensate, hitting .217/.288/.408 with 14 home runs. There was always a lot to like about Volpe. He won a Gold Glove in his rookie year, his power has always been promising and his speed is nothing to scoff at. Unfortunately, his glove has become a liability, and his speed has also produced very few results. Volpe has swiped just 10 bags in 17 attempts. His power is the one thing that still has some upside, but it hasn’t been enough to justify a spot in the lineup. Both Castro and Rosario have been far more productive at the plate this season than Volpe. Kirschner doesn’t clarify how serious the Yankees are in their pursuit of another infielder, but that most likely isn’t available information. Having just turned 24, Volpe could still become the type of player that was expected from him as a top prospect. However, his recent performance has weighed heavily on his team’s efforts, and it may be buying him a ticket out of the Bronx — or at least a spot on the bench.
Pirates' Paul Skenes continues to make Cy Young case with dominant July
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