Nikita Kucherov denies having suffered an injury against the Isles in Game 6
The nature of the injury suffered by Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov in Game 6 of the Lightning's round three series against the New York Islanders last week has been a source of conjecture.
In the first period, Kucherov suffered a hard cross check to the back/ribs from Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield, and he only played one more shift before being pulled for the night.
Tampa's head coach, Jon Cooper, had no updates on the situation other than to say that Kucherov had not been ruled out for Game 7, which he would indeed end up playing, despite rumours that the Russian winger may have broken ribs.
On Sunday Kucherov was asked straight up whether or not he suffered an injury on the play from Game 6. Even if he did, the 28-year-old wasn't telling.
"There was no injury. I don't know what you're talking about," said Kucherov on Sunday.
I'd have to imagine that the gifted winger was being purposefully disingenuous about the situation, likely due to the fact that the Bolts' playoff run is ongoing, just 4 wins away from back-to-back Stanely Cups.
Whether or not he is injured, you can bet that Kucherov intends to go out there and leave it all out on the ice against the Habs.
