Lightning get good and bad news ahead of Game 4 vs. Avalanche

It seemed like the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning had simply run into a better opponent in their quest to become the 1st National Hockey League team to win three straight titles since the legendary New York Islanders teams of the early 1980's. 

In Games 1 and 2 of the Stanley Cup Final against the powerful Colorado Avalanche, the Lightning were outscored by an 11-3 margin, while goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy looked human for the first time in a long time. And things didn't appear to be going so well for the Bolts as the series shifted to the friendly confines of Amalie Arena for Game 3 last night, as Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog gave the Avs the early 1-0 lead.

However, it was all Bolts from there, as they loudly declared to the Avalanche and the hockey world that they weren't going to give up the Cup without a fight. They managed to put a six-spot on the board, chasing goaltender Darcy Kuemper from the net and clawing their way back into the series. 

However, the game wasn't without controversy, as superstar forward Nikita Kucherov was injured after taking a stick to the back and then a shove from behind from Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews. Kucherov would be on the ice for the beginning of Tampa's ensuing power play, but would soon decide that he needed to get treatment in the locker room. 

The Lightning were understandably angered by the play, and have openly called for a suspension for Toews. But in the meantime, it appears as though Kucherov will be able to hit the ice for tomorrow's Game 4. 

"Yes, I think so. I hope so," Cooper said of Kucherov.

"Kuch, as I sit right now, I think he can play tomorrow," Cooper continued. "But I'm not Kuch. If I know Kuch, he's sitting there saying the same thing. But we'll see what the doctors and everybody says."

However, the status of forward Brayden Point isn't as promising. According to Cooper, Point is "highly doubtful" to play, as he's still feeling the effects of the lower body injury he suffered back on May 14 in Game 7 of their opening round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

Game 4 will begin tomorrow night from Amalie Arena starting at 8:00 PM EST.