Lightning's Kucherov played in Stanley Cup Final with broken rib

Tampa Bay Lightning right wingerr Nikita Kucherov (86) warms up before Game 5 of the 2021 Stanley Cup Final against the Montreal Canadiens at Amalie Arena. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Lightning's Nikita Kucherov played in Stanley Cup Final with broken rib

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 7/13/21

Nothing shows what a high threshold for pain NHLers have quite like hearing the long list of player injuries that gets revealed on locker cleanout day.

So perhaps it wasn't all that surprising to hear that Nikita Kucherov, who led the league with 32 points in the postseason, was finding the back of the net while playing through a cracked rib.

To recap: Victor Hedman played w/ torn meniscus since March 30, will have surgery + be out 3-4 weeks. Goodrow/McDonagh had broken hand, Kucherov cracked rib. Everyone expected to be ready for training camp. BriseBois has to be “creative” with cap, hard to keep Coleman/Goodrow
— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithTB) July 13, 2021

Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois told reporters Tuesday the Russian winger sustained the injury during Game 6 of the Conference Finals against the New York Islanders.

"He's a tough hockey player, he's an incredible hockey player," said BriseBois, via ESPN. "There isn't a more determined player out there than Nikita Kucherov."

Additionally, Norris Trophy contender Victor Hedman played with a torn meniscus and is scheduled to have surgery on Tuesday. Forward Barclay Goodrow and defenseman Ryan McDonagh both played with broken hands.

It was revealed last week that forward Alex Killorn, who exited Game 1 of the Cup Final after blocking a shot, suffered a broken fibula. Killorn had a rod surgically put into his leg and attempted to skate on it, but wasn't in good enough shape to return to action.

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