Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) beats New York Islanders left wing Anthony Beauvillier (18) to a loose puck during the first period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup semifinal playoff series Sunday, June 13, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) Credit: AP
Nikita Kucherov would have much rather ground through the season with his Tampa Bay Lightning teammates than sit out all 56 games while recovering from hip surgery.
"Missing a whole year, you ask any player, you don't want to be that guy," Kucherov said.
Kucherov was that guy.