According to Tampa Bay Lightning’s head coach, Jon Cooper, forward Nikita Kucherov isn’t ruled out for game six and is probable to play.
Cooper describes Kucherov as probable for game 6
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) June 15, 2015
Kucherov was spotted practicing in an optional skate this morning and appeared to be “fine” according to several reports.
Kucherov exited game five early on Saturday during the first period, after awkwardly colliding into the goalpost after tripping over Blackhawks netminder Corey Crawford while driving for a chance to score off of a turnover.
His offensive presence was needed in the Bolts last bout with Chicago. The Blackhawks took the series lead of three games to two by a slim final score of 2-1, pushing the Lightning to the brink at the Madhouse tonight. Kucherov is second in post-season scoring, with 10 goals and 22 points, with teammate Tyler Johnson just above at 23.
Hope is high in the Bolts lockerroom that a key piece in the “Triplet’s Line” is healthy and ready to go for the aforementioned Game 6. The Lightning have only been able to generate a total of two goals in games four and five, not what one would expect from the highest scoring team in the NHL. When you’re up against a defensive top four that Chicago rolls out every night with the headliner being Duncan Keith, it can be difficult however.
This past regular season was Kucherov’s breakout season in the NHL. While playing all 82 games this season for the Lightning, Kucherov registered 29 goals and 36 assists in just his second campaign.
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