Lightning Head Into Final Game Of Stanley Cup Semifinals

Correction: The Tampa Bay Lightning has not verified that right-winger Nikita Kucherov is out for the season.

TAMPA, FL — The Tampa Bay Lightning will play Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Semifinals Friday at 8 p.m. at the Amalie Arena against the New York Islander.

Lightning Coach Jon Cooper has not verified whether star right-winger Nikita Kucherov will be in Friday's lineup after getting injured in Game 6 of the semifinals against the New York Islanders.

During the game Wednesday at the Nassau Coliseum, Kucherov took a cross-check from the Islanders' Scott Mayfield that caused him to double over in pain and promptly exit the ice and head to the Lightning locker room.

Only moments before, the 27-year-old Russian-born player checked Islanders' defenseman Matthew Barzal.

On Thursday morning, Lightning Coach Jon Cooper said it was too early to say whether Kucherov would return to the ice.

Going into Wednesday's game, Kucherov led the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs in scoring and points. He's the first player since Mario Lemieux in 1991 and 1992 to lead all NHL players in scoring in consecutive playoff years.

With team captain Steven Stamkos out with an injury during the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Kucherov led the Lightning to their second Stanley Cup victory with seven goals and 34 points in 25 games.

Despite his championship season, Kucherov said in an interview two weeks ago that he was in a great deal of pain from a hip injury earlier in the season. He finally underwent surgery Dec. 29 and wasn't able to resume playing until March 13.

"Missing the whole year, you ask any player, you don't want to be that guy," Kucherov said. "It's been tough just to watch the game from my house or from the stands. Going through the treatments and workouts and skating by myself, it's just mentally tough, but I had to go through it and I think I got better at it."

He said it wasn't easy getting back into playing shape.

"I had to go to the gym every day, and I hated it," he said. "You get down on yourself sometimes. You want to go out there and play. Instead, you're going to the gym and doing this rehab stuff. It was tough."

Cooper hasn't discussed his offensive strategy for Friday's last game of the Stanley Cup Semifinals at Amalie Arena.

He may look to winger Mathieu Joseph who played in all 56 games in the regular season but just two playoff games. Joseph had 12 goals and seven assists in the regular season.

Friday night's game between the Lightning and the Islanders at Amalie Arena will begin at 8 p.m.

Tickets to Friday's game can be purchased here.

For those who don't have a ticket to Friday's game, Pepsi Zero Sugar will host a socially distanced Lightning Plaza Party outside Amalie Arena on Ford Thunder Alley, featuring live music and giveaways. Tickets are $5 with a portion of the proceeds benefitting Lightning Foundation Charities. Pods of one to eight people are available.

Important Details:

• Tickets must be purchased to access Lightning Plaza Parties
• Fans with tickets to the Lightning Plaza Parties are permitted to bring standard tailgate-sized chairs (20 by 20 inches)
• The plaza will open for ticketed guests three hours before the puck drop
• Anyone without a ticket to either the Amalie Arena or the Lightning Plaza Party will be asked to leave the secure perimeter of the plaza
• Fans with tickets to the Thunder Alley viewing party and the arena will be able to access the plaza via the west sidewalk in between the JW Marriott and the Pam Iorio Garage, the west sidewalk at the intersection of Morgan Street/Channelside Drive or the entryway to the plaza at the northwest corner of Amalie Arena
• Outside food and beverages, coolers, bags, and tents are not permitted.

See related stories:

• Lightning To Play Game 7 Friday After Losing To Islanders 2-3
• Lightning Strikes Twice As Bolts Head To Stanley Cup Semifinals
• Lightning Add Capacity, Release More Tickets To Sunday's Game