What if Kucherov cant play for Lightning in Game 7?
Heres what we know: Nikita Kucherov made a huge impact for the Lightning during the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Heres what we dont know: if Kucherov will even be able to play for the Lightning against the Islanders in Game 7 on Friday (8 p.m. ET; NBCSN / Peacock). Kucherov left Game 6 early, and did not return, after getting cross-checked in the back/lower body by Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield. (Mayfield would not endear himself to the Lightning or their fans afteward, also getting into a skirmish with Steven Stamkos, and scoring a big goal.) On the morning before Islanders  Lightning Game 7, Lightning coach Jon Cooper simply said he did not know if Kucherov could play. As of this writing, it simply sounds like a game-time decision. A Game 7 is almost always a coin flip, at least in hockey. Yeah, that makes for an unnerving mystery. Lets consider the possibility. First, the more nuts & bolts details. Cernak uncertainty  If Kucherov cant go in Game 7, there are a few different possibilities. The most important question (beyond Kucherovs availability) is if Erik Cernak can play in Game 7. Hes been banged-up lately, making way for Luke Schenn. A healthy Cernak could give Cooper at least the option to go with an alignment he often deploys: 11 forwards and seven defensemen instead of the usual 12F  6D setup. Cooper made comments that indicate that hed rather not go with an 11F/7D setup, though. Beyond Cernak, there are questions about three forwards possibly drawing into the lineup: Gemel Smith, Mathieu Joseph, and Mitchell Stephens. The Athletics Joe Smith believes that Smith might have a leg up to play in Game 7:  Just reading the tea leaves here: Think Gemel Smith would draw in if Kucherov cant go  he did work with Maroon, Colton and Halpern after skate. Cooper prefers 12/6 vs Isles. Joseph, Stephens + Schenn all still out here for scratches skate, so thats a good sign for Erik Cernak.  Joe Smith (@JoeSmithTB) June 25, 2021  If Cooper went with Smith in Game 7, it would be quite the challenge for the seldolmly-used Lightning forward. Smith, 27, played in five games for the Lightning this season, and hasnt skated a shift in an NHL playoff game. Story continues  How the Lightning lined up without Kucherov  For better or worse, theres plenty of data available regarding how the Lightning might handle line combos if Kucherov cant play in Game 7. Most directly, theres how they handled Game 6, when Kucherov played 46 seconds. The Lightning rolled out an effective combination of Ondrej Palat and Brayden Point (Kucherovs regular linemates) alongside Anthony Cirelli. Palat, Point, and Cirelli scored two goals and allowed none at even-strength, presenting a matching 2-0 edge in high-danger chances. Considering that success, one would expect that to be the starting option. During the regular season, the Lightning lined up Palat and Point with a variety of other forwards, with Steven Stamkos and Cirelli being the most frequent centers. Good and bad news for Lightning power play if Kucherov cant play in Game 7  On one hand, the Lightning went 0-for-2 on the power play without Kucherov in Game 6. At times, it looked disjointed. (Stamkos wasnt totally negative about their PP work, though.) Clearly, theyll miss his dangerous combination of cerebral passing and scintillating sniping. Theres no replacing Kuch, Stamkos said after Game 6, via NHL.com. Hes had an unbelievable playoffs for us. Hes so lethal out there offensively, on the power play.  Indeed, even when Kucherov seemed less than 100-percent at 5-on-5, he was ruthlessly efficient in man advantage situations. Along with comfortably leading the postseason with 27 points, hes also the leading power play producer with 17 PPP. (Teammate Victor Hedmans a fairly distant second with 12.) While they wouldnt be as frightening if Kucherov cant play in Game 7, the Islanders cant totally relax against the Lightning power play. During the season, the Lightning converted on 22.2-percent of their opportunities, the ninth-best power play mark in the NHL. Not bad for a unit that didnt have Kucherov at all, and lacked Stamkos for 18 of 56 games. So, sure, the Lightning will miss Kucherov if he must miss Game 7 vs. the Islanders. Theyre familiar with being without the former Hart Trophy winner, though, and at least still have a red-hot Brayden Point on their side. ISLANDERS VS. LIGHTNING (Series tied 3-3)  series livestream link  Game 1: Islanders 2, Lightning 1  Game 2: Lightning 4, Islanders 2  Game 3: Lightning 2, Islanders 1  Game 4: Islanders 3, Lightning 2  Game 5: Lightning 8, Islanders 0  Game 6: Islanders 3, Lightning 2 (OT)  Game 7: Fri. June 25: Islanders at Lightning, 8 p.m. ET (NBCSN / Peacock)  More NHL News  Golden Knights didnt win Stanley Cup, but they arent failures How the Canadiens shocked the NHL The Wraparound: Lightning find themselves in another Game 7    James OBrien is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @cyclelikesedins. originally appeared on NBCSports.com