Stanley Cup Finals Injury Report: Why Nikita Kucherov Will Need An Injection To Play, Point and Kadri Updates

The Stanley Cup Finals is in full swing with the Colorado Avalanche sporting a 2-1 lead heading into their second game in Tampa Bay. The Lightning stormed back in Game 3 winning 6-2 after losing both matchups in the Mile High City but took a key loss on the ice when stud forward Nikita Kucherov when down, leaving in the 3rd period. 

Nikita Kucherov Update - Tampa Bay Lightning F

The forward was cross-checked illegally by Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews into the boards, and after staying in, the Russian international hobbled to the locker-room.  The defenseman was awarded just a two-minute minor although many voiced their displeasure on social media over the hit including Lightning Head coach John Cooper who appeared frustrated and commented at the post-game presser saying “We all saw it."

By video analysis from our panel of Pro Sports Docs with decades of expertise, the mechanism of injury fits with a likely left high ankle/MCL sprain with a lean towards a mild ankle injury. Of course he stayed in for a shift as most hockey players are known to do after injury but eventually made his way to the Tampa Bay training room and did not return. With the injury happening so late in the game, there wasn't much time for Kucherov to return and his team was already well ahead when the injury initially occurred. 

His team will play Game 4 at home and although swelling will occur, this is the Stanley Cup Finals not the regular season meaning Kucherov has every incentive to push through. 

Unlike the regular season, team doctors do in fact travel with the team during the playoffs meaning Kucherov will have the staff ready for him as he will likely need a pre-game injection. Although mild, we believe Kucherov will be ineffective if he goes without an injection and if this was the regular season he would likely miss 2-3 weeks.

If the injury is in fact mild, he will likely return with an injection but if the issue is severe enough, it will be much difficult to inject. Regardless, we expect the star forward to play through said injury.

Brayden Point - Tampa Bay Lightning F

Fellow offensive partner in crime, Brayden Point has been hampered the majority of the playoffs with what our Pro Sports Doc believe is either a right hip flexor strain or at worst a proximal quad tear in the Game 7 first round win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

He missed the last two series before playing in the first two games of the Finals but played poorly, with the usual smooth skater looking slow and immobile. 

He missed Game 3 and is listed as doubtful for Game 4. There is a chance the stud misses the rest of the series as they have took their time with him with not much progress to show. 

Nazem Kadri - Colorado Avalanche F

As reported at sicscore.com, star Colorado center Nazam Kadri suffered a thumb injury after been taken down near the boards, subsequently undergoing thumb surgery. 

Our panel of Pro Sports Doc opined that if the thumb injury is a fracture he will miss the Finals but if the surgery was an UCL reconstruction, combined with the fact its his top hand, we believe he could return in the middle of the series. We are at that point currently with practice videos being released of Kadri shooting in non-contact drills. 

We believe he is not yet close and this could be a moral boosting stunt to show his teammates he is making a comeback, in fact we lean towards the injury being a fracture meaning expect Kadri to be sidelined until next season. 

Which Team is Healthier?

In summary, both teams are dealing with key star injuries but after the Kucherov injury, the scale leans towards Colorado. The Avalanche have learned to play without Kadri these last few matchups due their incredible depth down the middle however the Lightning will be hard pressed to replace Kucherov's production if he can't play at his usual level. 

Combined with the Point absence, the Lightning will be missing a huge chuck of their offense meaning they will continue to rely on future Hall-of-Famer Steven Stamkos for offense. 

Due to the recent Lightning injury, the Avalanche hold the healthier squad going forward.