Leading scorer Nikita Kucherov left the Tampa Bay Lightning game against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first period on Monday night. He played only 5:19 and left after only six shifts. He was on the ice for the first goal, scored by Chris Kunitz, for the Lightning, but left soon after. There was no apparent moment when an injury could have happened and he skated off normally on his last shift.
During the second intermission The Tampa Bay Times reporter Joe Smith reported that Kucherov had suffered an “upper body injury” and would not return to the game:
UPDATE: Nikita Kucherov has an upper body injury and won’t return #tblightning
— Joe Smith (@TBTimes_JSmith) February 27, 2018
Kucherov has 33 goals and 82 points on the season. We will update with more information once it becomes available.
Update!
This is much better news:
News sounds encouraging for Nikita Kucherov (upper body). Hearing he could be available to play the next game Wednesday. #tblightning. Should get more update post-game
— Joe Smith (@TBTimes_JSmith) February 27, 2018
