“Doubtful for tomorrow” – Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov remains uncertain for Game 4 of Stanley Cup Final
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Nikita Kucherov
Tampa Bay Lightning star winger Nikita Kucherov will most likely play in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final but discission regarding his name to the lineup is still pending. On Tuesday, Lightning coach Jon Cooper said that they may be playing against Colorado Avalanche, “I think so. I hope so”. “‘Kuch,’ as I sit right now, I think he can play tomorrow. But I’m not Kuch. But if I know Kuch, he’s sitting there saying the same thing. But we’ll see what the doctor says about that.”
Kucherov finished a 6-2 win in Game 3 on Monday in the third period at 6:05 remaining, after being taken down by Avalanche defenceman Devon Toews on a cross-check. Kucherov tumbled against the board where his leg fell in an uncomfortable position. Though Toews was penalized for cross-checking, Kucherov stayed on the ice for a power play shooting a couple of shots until leaving for the locker during a break.
Nikita Kucherov is unsure to participate in Game 4 of the Cup Final
After Nikita Kucherov fell victim to the crosscheck, Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman Victor Headman commented, “It’s one of those plays you don’t want to see,” Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman said after the game. “It’s a dangerous play.” Till now Kucherov scored 11 points in 8 games and 26 points in 20 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Lightning coach, Jon Cooper said, “It’s always difficult when the game was literally 12 hours ago, whatever it was”. “A lot can happen in the next two days. Am I glad there’s a day off in between games? Yes. It’s playoff time and regardless of how you think of how it happened and how it went down last night, you can debate about that, but you get dinged up this time of year, these guys.”
Last season Kucherov helped the team win their second consecutive Stanley Cup Playoff after recovering from hip surgery. As recorded on nhl.com, Cooper commented, “That kid, if you watch last year’s playoff and everybody knows him, what he went through to the finish, it’s remarkable,” Cooper said. “So, I never count that kid out.”
Game 4 will be hosted at Amalie Arena on Wednesday. As of now, Tampa Bay Lightning trails the best of season series with 2-1. Jon Cooper also mentioned that Brayden Point is “highly doubtful” and is expected to miss his second straight game in the Stanley Cup Finals.
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Kaushani Chatterjee
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