Ad
Nikita Kucherov News
Kucherov (lower-body) will return to the Lightning lineup on Thursday.

Kucherov missed the last two games with a lower-body injury, but will return to tonight vs. the Canadiens. Kucherov comes in on a four-game goal scoring streak (4G / 1A) and will be looking to score his 30th goal of the season. Mike Blunden will come out of the lineup to make room for the Russian forward.

Nikita Kucherov
Kucherov not listed on the Lightning roster and not skating this morning.

Kucherov was likely sent down as a "paper-move" to help get under the cap before finalizing their 23-man roster. The Lightning did the same thing with Brett Connolly last season so Kucherov should be back with the team soon and in the lineup on Thursday. Kucherov led all players with six goals in the preseason, so expect him to be back.

Nikita Kucherov