Nikita Kucherov listed as day-to-day with lower-body injury

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov has been officially listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury by the team.

Per head coach John Cooper, Kucherov can return to action as soon as Tuesday’s game, but should play at least one game before Christmas.

The reigning Hart Trophy winner left Saturday’s game against the Washington Capitals after blocking a shot from defenceman John Carlson in the second period.

Thankfully for the Lightning, Kucherov will not be out for a long as they need all the firepower they can get. After a rough start to their season, Tampa Bay are slowly making their way up the standings and currently sit third in their division in points percentage.

The creeping giants have been able to make up ground, but are still 13 points back of the division-leading Boston Bruins. If they want to become consecutive Atlantic division winners, they will need Kucherov to go on an ungodly tear to finish the season.

The 26-year-old has scored 10 goals and 34 points through 30 games this season, after breaking records with his 128-point, MVP-earning season last year.

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