The Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Colorado Avalanche 6-2 Monday night time in Sport 3 of the Stanley Cup Closing, however it might have include a price.
Tampa Bay’s star winger Nikita Kucherov left the competition with 6:05 remaining within the third interval after what one teammate deemed “a harmful play” by Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews.
As Kucherov dealt with the puck and tried to navigate round Toews, the Colorado defenseman cross-checked him from behind. The thunderous blow despatched Kucherov crashing into the boards as he buckled to at least one knee.
The Lightning ahead briefly remained on the ice following the collision – even going after Toews – however finally hobbled to the bench and thru the tunnel in the direction of the coach’s room.
“It’s a type of performs you don’t need to see,” Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman stated of Toews’ hit. “It’s a harmful play. You by no means need to see that.”
Toews was penalized with a two-minute minor quickly after administering the cross-check. The blow was seemingly retaliation for Kucherov’s hit on Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson close to the top boards, which occurred two minutes beforehand and went unpenalized.
Following the sport, Lightning coach Jon Cooper stated there was no replace on his star participant’s standing. What was sure in Cooper’s eyes was the intent of the cross-check that eliminated him.
“It’s a sport. It’s a contact sport, however guys know what they’re doing,” Cooper stated. “Sensible, savvy gamers know what they’re doing with their stick. All of us noticed it.”
Earlier than departing the sport, Kucherov recorded two assists to push his whole to 26 factors over 20 playoff video games. The star ahead leads the Lightning in postseason scoring with seven objectives and 19 assists.
The Lightning have already misplaced Brayden Level, who was scratched from Sport 3 after returning for the primary two video games from a decrease physique harm he sustained in Sport 1. Nick Paul was additionally clearly seen preventing by ache all through Monday’s contest, repeatedly taking journeys to the locker room.
A long run absence by Kucherov can be tough to beat for the Lightning, who at present path the Avalanche 2-1 within the collection. Nonetheless, the two-time defending champion’s capacity to deal with adversity has been on full show all through their extraordinary postseason run.
Sport 4 is ready for Wednesday in Tampa Bay.
Post a Comment