Nikita Kucherov’s status for Game 7 still up in the air
Jon Cooper is playing his cards close to his chest.
When asked if Nikita Kucherov would suit up for Game 7 against the New York Islanders on Friday, Cooper said “we’ll have to wait until tonight.”
Kucherov was knocked out Game 6 on Wednesday after taking a cross-check from Islanders defenceman Scott Mayfield…
Referee, Chris Lee, is in the thick of it again after he "didn't see" Mayfield's cross-check on Kucherov that knocked him out of the game. pic.twitter.com/9d3DBWNMhj
— TSN 1200 (@TSN1200) June 24, 2021
He also wasn’t on the ice for the Lightning’s optional skate on Friday morning.
Kucherov controversially didn’t play a single game during the regular season but has been active for the entirety of Tampa’s playoff run. Through 17 playoff games, Kucherov leads all NHL skaters with 27 points.