Will Nikita Kucherov be the next NHL player to hit 1,000 career points? Tampa Bay Lightning [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning/] head coach Jon Cooper shared with reporters that superstar forward Nikita Kucherov will not be in the lineup against the San Jose Sharks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/san-jose-sharks/] on Thursday night (Dec. 5). Kucherov missed the Lightning's last contest against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Nov. 30 due to injury. Now, we know that he will miss his second consecutive game with this update. Kucherov, 31, has appeared in 22 games this season, where he has 12 goals, 34 points, and a plus-5 rating. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjExMTg2NDkwNzA3ODE0MzU5/usatsi_24533603.jpg] In addition to Kucherov being out, forward Mitchell Chaffee will also not be in the lineup against the Sharks. Chaffee last played in the Lightning's Nov. 25 matchup against the Colorado Avalanche. He has five goals, nine points, and a plus-5 rating in 20 games.
