It's clear that Nikita Kucherov is not happy with missing Game 3 of the Lightning's first-round playoff series against the Blue Jackets.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, an agitated Kucherov briefly discussed his one-game suspension, stemming from a boarding incident with Columbus defenseman Markus Nutivaara.
Nikita Kucherov trips up Markus Nutivaara and then hammers his head into the boards near the end of tonight's game. Suspension worthy? #GoBolts #CBJ pic.twitter.com/9IMIiKddIf
— Hockey Daily #StickTogether (@HockeyDaily365) April 13, 2019
"Yeah, it sucks," Kucherov said of the suspension.
After those three words, Kucherov grew more annoyed with every suspension-related question and dismissed each of them with a "no comment" or "next question."
In Kucherov's place, Ryan Callahan will get the start. The veteran winger is one of the most accomplished postseason performers on Tampa Bay's roster, boasting 20 goals, 19 assists and the fifth most hits (446) in playoffs history. In 52 regular season games, the former New York Ranger tallied 17 points (seven goals, 10 assists) for the Bolts.
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"It's just unfortunate it's at the expense of Kuch," Callahan said of his opportunity.
Kucherov, the NHL's regular-season leader in points (128) and assists (87), did not have much of an impact in two games against the Blue Jackets. He did not record a point in either game and was a minus-2. The Bolts had the NHL's best record in the regular season and head to Columbus on Monday hoping to avoid the dreaded 0-3 hole.
"Win the game, I guess," he said of what Tampa Bay needs to do without him.