Forward Nikita Kucherov was in the lineup Wednesday night as the Tampa Bay Lightning hosted the Colorado Avalanche in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final.
Coach Jon Cooper confirmed Wednesday morning that the Lightning would use the same lineup as in Game 3.
Brayden Point, who did not play in Tampa Bay’s 6-2 win in Game 3 on Monday, sat out Game 4 as well.
“I haven’t ruled him out for the series, but he’s out for tonight,” Cooper said of Point.
Forward Nicholas Paul remained in the lineup for the Lightning, who trailed 2-1 in the best-of-seven series.
Kucherov, 29, exited Monday’s game with 6:05 remaining in the third period after falling awkwardly following a penalized crosscheck from Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews.
Kucherov was headed toward the boards when Toews hit him, and his left leg buckled. The former Hart Trophy recipient attempted to take part in the ensuing five-on-three power play but left the ice in discomfort.
He 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).
Point sustained a lower-body injury on May 14 in Game 7 of the first-round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He missed the team’s next 10 games before returning for the series opener against the Avalanche.
Point, 26, has two goals and three assists in nine playoff games.
–Field Level Media
