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Tampa Bay Lightning News
Kucherov (undisclosed) will play in Game 1.

Kucherov missed the season finale on Saturday, but said he will play on Wednesday despite being sore. Kucherov set career-highs in goals (30) and points (66) in 77 games this season. He scored 10 goals in the playoffs last year, but had no goals and four assists in the seven game series vs. Detroit.

Nikita Kucherov
Hedman (upper-body) will return to the Lightning lineup in Game 1.

Hedman missed the final three games of the regular season, but he likely sat out the final game as a precaution. Hedman’s return is huge for a Lightning team that will be without at least Anton Stralman on the blueline and Steven Stamkos up front. Hedman had 10 goals and 37 assists (47 points) in78 games this season and had three assists in the Lightning’s seven-game series vs. the Red Wings last year.

Victor Hedman
Vasilevskiy will start Saturday in Montreal.

Vasilevskiy allowed three goals on 28 shots in the Lightning’s loss in New York on Tuesday. The 21-year-old has gone 11-9-0 with a 2.70 GAA and .913 SV% on the year. Tonight he will face a Canadiens team that has lost six of their last 10 games coming into tonight’s game vs.the Lighting.

Andrei Vasilevskiy
McDonagh expected to miss the start of the playoffs with a small fracture in his right hand.

McDonagh has already been ruled out for the rest of the regular season, but it doesn’t look like he will be ready for the start of the playoffs as he heals a small fracture. He suffered the injury while blocking a shot in Columbus on Monday.

Ryan McDonagh
McDonagh left Monday's game with a hand injury and did not return.

McDonagh suffered the injury while blocking a shot in Monday’s win in Columbus. The Rangers did not have an update on his status after the game, but it appears as if he is in danger of missing the final three remaining games of the season. Expect a full update in the next 24 hours.

Ryan McDonagh
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