Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos practiced with the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday and are anticipated to play in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup First Spherical on the Florida Panthers on Sunday (7: 30 p.m. ET; NBCSN, SN, TVAS, NHL.TV).
Kucherov did no longer play all by the weird and wonderful season after having hip surgical operation Dec. 29. Stamkos overlooked the closing 16 games with a lower-physique damage.
The forwards were on the ice together Would possibly presumably per chance merely 5 in a chunky-team observe for the most most foremost time.
“We’re hoping these guys are going to be factual to head,” Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper said. “They’re searching factual now, so indicators are pointing for them to be in the lineup and we hope they may per chance perhaps also be.”
Stamkos, the Lightning captain, scored 34 factors (17 targets, 17 assists) in 38 games this season.
Tampa Bay also expects defensemen Victor Hedman (lower physique) and Ryan McDonagh (upper physique) to return for Game 1 of the most efficient-of-7 sequence after each and every overlooked the last two games of the weird and wonderful season, a 5-1 loss at Florida on Saturday and a 4-0 loss at Florida on Monday.
Hedman became as soon as paired with Jan Rutta and McDonagh with Erik Cernak in observe Thursday. Hedman became as soon as on the cease energy-play unit with Stamkos, Kucherov, and forwards Brayden Point and Alex Killorn.
Hedman would no longer tackle his damage or a characterize by Sportsnet on Saturday that he’ll require surgical operation in the offseason.
“I’m no longer going to make investments on injuries,” Hedman said. “Whoever is going to be on the ice is going to be ready to head. That is the final analysis. Here’s the time of yr whenever you place plenty of things aside and you right focal level on the game that’s forward of you. Same goes for everyone in that room. We’re ready to head. The 18 guys which would be going to compile the nod for the most most foremost sport occupy bought to exit there and empty the tank.
“It be going to be no longer easy matchups and no longer easy games. You occupy got right bought to battle by it.”
Hedman and McDonagh each and every expressed his pleasure to gape Stamkos and Kucherov as chunky contributors on weird and wonderful forward lines and the cease energy-play unit.
Kucherov became as soon as with Point and Ondrej Palat, reconnecting along with his linemates from the playoffs last season. Kucherov led the postseason with 34 factors (seven targets, 27 assists) in 25 playoff games to back the Lightning resolve the Stanley Cup.
Stamkos became as soon as on a line with Anthony Cirelli and Killorn.
“They’ve labored extremely sharp to be as ready as they’ll and I believe they’re right anxious to compile available and back us in decided scenarios all by the ice,” McDonagh said. “Especially for Kucherov’s sake, he hasn’t played hockey in a long time and that guy’s passion for the game is moderately impossible.
“We’re anxious to occupy them relief here and grateful to compile just a few days here and in actuality compile some team practices in and work on some various things. In the terminate, these guys are elite gamers and know what they must protect out, and they also’ve been working sharp on their very occupy to prepare here with any luck for a long playoff poke.”
