Keep updated on all the injury news and roster updates from around the NHL with daily Ice Chips.<\/p>\n
Tampa Bay Lightning<\/p>\n
Head coach Jon Cooper said this morning that forward Nikita Kucherov<\/a> is a game-time decision for tonight\u2019s contest against the Montreal Canadiens<\/a>. <\/p>\n Kucherov, who has missed the past two games due to illness, took part in the team\u2019s optional skate this morning. <\/p>\n The 32-year-old is second in the NHL in scoring this season with 121 points, three back of leader Connor McDavid<\/a>. Kucherov is second in assists (81) and fourth in goals (40). <\/p>\n 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<\/a> #TBLightning<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Lightning Insider (@Erik_Erlendsson) March 31, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 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<\/a> and Nashville Predators<\/a> on the weekend. <\/p>\n Florida Panthers<\/p>\n Head coach Paul Maurice said that forward Sam Bennett is back in the lineup tonight against the Ottawa Senators and Nolan Foote is out.<\/p>\n Goaltender Daniil Tarasov gets the start in net. <\/p>\n Bennett, who became a father over the weekend, missed Saturday\u2019s game against the New York Islanders. The 29-year-old has 25 goals and 54 points in 70 games this season.<\/p>\n Maurice also confirmed that forward Evan Rodrigues will be having surgery for a broken finger. <\/p>\n Lines per Panthers reporter Jameson Olive:<\/p>\n Verhaeghe – Bennett – Tkachuk<\/p>\n Samoskevich – Luostarinen – Greer<\/p>\n Boqvist – Nosek – Gregor<\/p>\n Reinhardt – Kunin – Hinostroza\/Foote<\/p>\n Forsling – Ekblad<\/p>\n Sebrango – Jones<\/p>\n Kulikov – Benning<\/p>\n