Star forward Nikita Kucherov left Saturday’s game against the Washington Capitals with an injury and did not return.
The Lightning did not specify what his injury was when they ruled him out for the night.
Injury Update: Nikita Kucherov has sustained an injury and will not return to tonight’s game. #TBLvsWSH
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) November 23, 2025
According to Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times, Kucherov took a hard hit from Capitals forward Tom Wilson in the second period and was slow to get back to the bench. He left the team’s bench and went down the tunnel and did not come back for the third period.
He had a goal and two assists in just 5:18 of ice time before departing in the Bolts’ 5-3 win.
Encina also reports forward Brayden Point left Saturday’s game in the second period and briefly returned but went back down the tunnel afterwards. He had zero points in 11:29 before leaving the game.