Keep updated on all the injury news and roster updates from around the NHL with daily Ice Chips.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Head coach Jon Cooper said this morning that forward Nikita Kucherov is a game-time decision for tonight’s contest against the Montreal Canadiens.
Kucherov, who has missed the past two games due to illness, took part in the team’s optional skate this morning.
The 32-year-old is second in the NHL in scoring this season with 121 points, three back of leader Connor McDavid. Kucherov is second in assists (81) and fourth in goals (40).
Jon Cooper called Nikita Kucherov a game time decision for tonight after missing the past two games due to illness. Kucherov did take part in the optional morning skate #GoBolts #TBLightning
— Lightning Insider (@Erik_Erlendsson) March 31, 2026
The Lightning are first in the Atlantic Division with 98 points, four up on the Canadiens, who sit third. Tampa Bay has won two straight games, picking up back-to-back wins over the Ottawa Senators and Nashville Predators on the weekend.
Florida Panthers
Head coach Paul Maurice said that forward Sam Bennett is back in the lineup tonight against the Ottawa Senators and Nolan Foote is out.
Goaltender Daniil Tarasov gets the start in net.
Bennett, who became a father over the weekend, missed Saturday’s game against the New York Islanders. The 29-year-old has 25 goals and 54 points in 70 games this season.
Maurice also confirmed that forward Evan Rodrigues will be having surgery for a broken finger.
Lines per Panthers reporter Jameson Olive:
Verhaeghe – Bennett – Tkachuk
Samoskevich – Luostarinen – Greer
Boqvist – Nosek – Gregor
Reinhardt – Kunin – Hinostroza/Foote
Forsling – Ekblad
Sebrango – Jones
Kulikov – Benning