Tampa Bay Lightning star Nikita Kucherov left Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final on Monday with six minutes remaining after falling awkwardly following a penalized crosscheck from Devon Toews of the Colorado Avalanche.
Kucherov was headed toward the boards when Toews hit him, and his left leg buckled. He attempted to take part in the ensuing five-on-three power play, but left the ice in discomfort.
After the game Lightning coach Jon Cooper did not know Kucherov’s status. Cooper did say regarding Toews’ hit, “When you’re asked questions like that, you’re looking for an answer that everyone knows. It’s a contact game, but guys know what they’re doing. We all saw it.”
Kucherov collected two assists in the game, giving him 25 points in each of the Lightning’s three consecutive Stanley Cup years. He is the fourth player in league history with three straight 25-point postseasons, joining Bryan Trottier (1980-82), Mike Bossy (1981-83) and Wayne Gretzky (1983-85).
The Lightning won 6-2 on Monday to cut Colorado’s series advantage to 2-1, with Game 4 scheduled for Wednesday in Tampa.
–Field Level Media
