TAMPA – Jon Cooper provided updates on Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point, Jared Bednar has a promising update on Nazem Kadri and lots more from off-day action in Florida:
– Lightning coach Jon Cooper said he “thinks, hopes” that Nikita Kucherov will be available to the Lightning in Game 4. Kucherov left the game after a hit from Devon Toews late in the third period.
– If Kucherov could not play, it would be a big loss for a team that likely won’t have Brayden Point for Game 4. Point played the first two games after missing two full rounds due to a leg injury but didn’t play in Game 3.
– Lightning defenseman Zach Bogosian on Andrei Vasilevskiy after his bounce-back victory in Game 3: “He’s a special player that doesn’t come around very often, so we’re obviously very fortunate to have him. He’s been the backbone of this organization for as long as he’s been here, so it’s impressive to see.”
– Coach Jon Cooper on Steven Stamkos’ value as a captain: “He’s become a hell of a leader. I’ll tell you that. He was a hell of a hockey player and less of a leader. Now you can almost say he’s a hell of a leader and not less of a hockey player. He’s just, I guess, an older hockey player.”
– Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said he thinks Kadri could play in the Stanley Cup final: “I believe he is an option for us at some point, not sure how soon.”
– Kadri skated with the main group during the optional practice for the first time. Previously, he had skated on his own before practice.
– Burakovsky was supposed to join the Avalanche on Monday but is still in Denver, getting treatment.
– Bednar said he Bednar says he thought Tampa had the “competitive advantage” in Game 3, and thinks his team will play “with a bit of desperation” on Wednesday.
– Bednar said he thinks Cale Makar is the best defenceman in the game today and deserving of the Norris Trophy.
– The 2022 NHL Awards will be broadcasted live from Amalie Arena at 7:00 PM ET. The show will be one hour long, with five awards being handed out, among other events.
