Nikita Kucherov Scratched from Thursday's Game Due to Illness

Nikita Kucherov is a late scratch for Thursday's game against Los Angeles because of an illness. His absence brings the Tampa Bay Lightning down to 11 healthy forwards, meaning they will play one skater short. Kucherov has been productive this season, recording 13 goals and 42 points in 30 outings. Pontus Holmberg might step into a top-six capacity to help fill the void left by Kucherov's illness.