Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper announced Alex Killorn will not play game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Killorn suffered a lower-body injury after blocking a shot from Jeff Petry. Killorn went to the bench crouched over in pain. He received great appreciation from his teammates.
https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1410248763243909129
Alex Killorn Sidelined for Game 2
So far in the playoffs, Killorn has recorded 17 points in 19 games. This is good enough for fourth in the Stanley Cup Playoff point-scoring race. The only players to record more points are teammates, Brayden Point, Nikita Kucherov, and Steven Stamkos. Throughout his playoff career, Killion has tallied 34 goals and 68 points in 111 games.
During the shortened regular season, Killorn potted 15 goals and 33 points in 56 games. The Tampa Bay Winger had 14 takeaways and 10 giveaways. Killorn had a wins above replacement value of 1.1 (WAR), and a total offensive value of 5 (OFF). These are advanced statistics that can be viewed with an Evolving Hockey membership
Killorn has always been a really consistent second line, two-way forward in his 9-year career. He is a guy that can get you 15 goals and 40+ points year in and year out. Killorn has posted responsible numbers in his own end. Killorn has posted a career wins above replacement value of 13.4 (WAR), a total offensive value of 58.9 (OFF), and a total defensive value of 12.9 (DEF). The 3rd round selection in 2007 has had a very respectable career thus far.
What this means for Tampa Bay
With the absence of Alex Killorn, Tyler Johnson will move up to the second line left wing. Anthony Cirelli will replace Killorn on the top powerplay unit. Mathieu Joseph will be inserted into in lineup, playing on the fourth line alongside Ross Colton and Patrick Maroon. With Killorn out of the lineup, Tampa Bay is losing a vital net-front presence on their top unit. With his absence, Johnson could potentially see a chance to regain his former self, playing with Cirelli and Stamkos.
