from Craig Custance of ESPN,

The league’s most productive line of Johnson, Ondrej Palat and Kucherov, a powerhouse trio that has carried this Lightning team at times during the postseason, is limping to the finish line. The attrition of playoff hockey is chipping away at three players who looked invincible at times during their incredible spring run.

Johnson leads the Stanley Cup playoffs with 23 points. Kucherov is second at 22, one more than Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. Palat’s well-rounded, 200-foot game that has shades of Marian Hossa has been the perfect compliment to those two.

Now, one loss from watching the Blackhawks raise the Stanley Cup, the Lightning might have to try rallying without their best line in tact. Kucherov played 1:17 before the collision with the post. That was all he’d play.

Lightning coach Jon Cooper anticipated a return from Kucherov that never came. Cooper said his talented Russian winger was to be evaluated after the game or sometime Sunday.

Cooper had no update on Kucherov's status.

more