The Tampa Bay Lightning bounced back emphatically in Game 3, putting the humiliating 7-0 defeat in Game 2 behind them as they trounced the Avalanche 6-2 on Monday night. Not all went well for the Lightning, however, as Nikita Kucherov sustained a worrying injury in Game 3. Head coach Jon Cooper dropped a mixed bag of updates on both Kucherov, and Brayden Point, who was sidelined on Monday, ahead of Wednesday's Game 4 in Tampa Bay.

Via NHL insider Tom Gulitti, Cooper revealed that the Lightning expect to have Kucherov available for the crucial Game 4 clash. However, he also noted that Point is considered day-to-day, but deemed him “highly doubtful” for Wednesday's showdown.

Kucherov exited the game late into the third period after a somewhat dirty hit from Avalanche star defender Devon Toews. Kucherov appeared to have suffered a leg injury after Toews hit him with an illegal cross-check with just more than six minutes remaining in the game. Toews was penalized for the hit, and after the game was lambasted by both Cooper and Lightning star defenseman Victor Hedman.

The Point injury has been a constant theme for the Lightning throughout the playoffs. Having originally sustained the lower-body injury back in the first round of the playoffs against the Maple Leafs, the star forward missed the entirety of Tampa's subsequent two series'. He returned to action in Game 1 and 2 of the Stanley Cup Final but was clearly not at 100%, prompting the Lightning to hold him out of Game 3.

Despite the additional rest, it seems he's still not feeling up to the task ahead of Game 4, and Cooper has all but confirmed that the 26-year-old won't be taking the ice on Wednesday night.

Of course, anything can chance leading up to puck drop, but as of now, it looks as if Kucherov will be suiting up for the Lightning in Game 4 vs. the Avalanche, while Point will once again be designated to watch from the sidelines.