Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Lightning coach Jon Cooper: Star forward Nikita Kucherov out a while with unspecified injury

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 10/18/21

Lightning superstar forward Nikita Kucherov was injured during Saturday's 2-1 overtime win vs. the Washington Capitals. While the initial prognosis was that the unspecified injury wasn't serious, head coach Jon Cooper said Monday that Kucherov could miss significant time.

The Nikita Kucherov injury. It looked like a groin issue but we’ll see. Jon Cooper said to not hit the panic button. @TBLightning pic.twitter.com/Gy0DM2U7LB
— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithTB) October 17, 2021

Cooper said Kucherov is not a day to day thing. He’ll be out a while. Just don’t know how long. Waiting to hear more.
— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithTB) October 18, 2021

It has not been determined yet if the Russian winger will need surgery.

Kucherov, 28, missed the entire 2020-21 regular season after undergoing hip surgery. He did return for the playoffs and played a huge role in Tamp Bay winning its second straight Stanley Cup. He also led the league in postseason goals two years in a row.

Suffice to say, Kucherov's absence deals a mighty blow to the Bolts.

"For him, I'm sure he’s frustrated," teammate Alex Killorn said, via Joe Smith of The Athletic. "As a team, it's something we've been through before, so I guess that's one positive. Some guys are going to have to play more minutes. Sometimes you've got to step up. It's not going to be one guy to replace him. It's going to be the collective. We're pretty positive we've got a group that can do it."

The Lightning host the Panthers on Tuesday.

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