Victor Hedman speaks with reporters postgame Tampa Bay Lightning [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning/] superstar forward Nikita Kucherov will not be in the lineup for the club's Feb. 9 matchup against the Montreal Canadiens [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens/]. Kucherov, 31, participated in warmups with the Lightning but became a late scratch. Forward Mitchell Chaffee, who was originally supposed to be scratched, will now be back in the lineup against the Habs. Nikita Kucherov & Anthony Cirelli [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjEyMDg4MjEzNzIyOTAwMDAz/usatsi_25175793.jpg] Nikita Kucherov & Anthony Cirelli According to The Hockey News' Diandra Loux, the Lightning have also confirmed that Kucherov will be out day-to-day due to an upper-body injury. Kucherov has appeared in 52 games this season with the Lightning [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning/latest-news/lightning-superstar-ties-legend-with-amazing-stat], where he has 25 goals, 57 assists, 82 points, and a plus-12 rating.
