Lightning's Cooper 'not sure' if Kucherov will play in Game 7

June 25, 2021 - 11:17am

Sportsnet's Hockey Night in Canada panel discusses how the injury to Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov could swing the momentum in Game 7.

Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said he’s “not sure” if star forward Nikita Kucherov will be in the lineup for Friday’s Game 7.

Kucherov did not participate in an optional morning skate Friday. The leading scorer in the playoff missed a majority of Wednesday’s Game 6 with an undisclosed injury.

No update on Nikita Kucherov's availability for Game 7 tonight. The playoff scoring leader didn't participate in an optional morning skate after missing the final 58-odd minutes of Game 6 with injury.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) June 25, 2021

The 2019 Hart Trophy winner missed the entire regular season after having off-season hip surgery. Since returning in Game 1 of Round 1 against the Florida Panthers, he has looked like his old self, scoring five goals and 27 points in 22 games.

Cooper had a similar non-update on the status of defenceman Erik Cernak ahead of Game 7. The steady defender has missed the last two games with an upper-body injury but did skate Friday morning.

You can watch Game 7 between the Lightning and Islanders on Sportsnet and SN Now. Coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT.

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