Surgery to keep Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov out 8-10 weeks
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov is expected to miss the next 8-10 weeks, the club announced Wednesday.
Kucherov, 28, was injured in the third period of an Oct. 16 game against the Washington Capitals.
The star forward has struggled to stay healthy in recent years. He missed the entire 2020-21 regular season after undergoing hip surgery.
He returned in the playoffs to remind everyone how talented he is scoring eight goals and 32 points in 23 games as the Lightning won their second title in as many years.
“I don’t expect … ‘Kuch,’ what’d he miss, 56 games last year? That’s not happening this time,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper told NHL.com last week. “But he’s a huge part of our team and the fabric of our team. So when he’s around, it’s just good for everybody here. Good for him, good for us. Anytime he’s giving guys pointers, people listen. I assume that’ll happen.”
The Lightning have been off to a tough start with a 3-3-1 record. Their victory Tuesday night against Pittsburgh was their first and only win in regulation this year.
Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.