Lightning vs. Islanders, Game 7: Will Nikita Kucherov play tonight?

Will Tampa Bay Lightning star Nikita Kucherov be able to play in Friday’s Game 7 against the New York Islanders with a trip to the Stanley Cup Final on the line?

The defending Stanley Cup champions have a stiff test ahead of them with Game 7 against the New York Islanders on the horizon, and they might have to face it without their best player in order to keep their title defense alive.

Tampa Bay Lightning superstar Nikita Kucherov‘s status is uncertain heading into Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Semi-Final against the Islanders, following an undisclosed injury he suffered in the first period of their 3-2 overtime loss in Game 6.

Kucherov was injured on his first shift of Game 6, following a cross-check to the back from Scott Mayfield. Kucherov would leave the ice at the end of that same shift, and would not return. Mayfield was not penalized and faced no supplemental discipline for the cross-check.

Kucherov missed the entire 56-game regular season while recovering from hip surgery. While nothing is confirmed as of right now, the cross-check from Mayfield looked dangerously close to that surgically repaired hip, and could have aggravated the injury.

Can the Tamp Bay Lightning win without Nikita Kucherov?

If Kucherov is unavailable for Game 7, it will leave the Lightning without their top scorer in this postseason and in need of a replacement. Forwards Mathieu Joseph or Gemel Smith could get the nod if Kucherov is unable to go, and the rest of the team will undoubtedly need to double their efforts without their leading scorer to lead the charge.

If the Lightning are able to get the job done with or without Kucherov, they’ll have the Montreal Canadiens waiting for them on the other side in the Stanley Cup Final.

Game 7 between the Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Islanders takes place at 8 p.m. EST on NBCSN.