Nikita Kucherov Suspended for Game Three

Kim Klement-USA TODAY SportsNikita Kucherov has been handed a one game suspension by the NHL Department of Player Safety.

Kucherov was ejected in the dying minutes of game two after he tripped Markus Nutivaara and then delivered a blow to the defenseman’s head as the Tampa Bay Lightning were in the midst of a blowout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Here’s the hit.

Without Kucherov in the lineup, here’s how the Lightning practiced.

The Blue Jackets and Lightning return to the ice Sunday night at 7:00 for game three in Nationwide Arena. The Jackets lead the series 2-0.