NHL
Tampa Bay LightningOpens in new window
Nikita KucherovOpens in new window
Nick PaulOpens in new window

Lightning’s Kucherov, Paul (illness) out vs. Sens

Published: 

TAMPA, FL - MARCH 14: Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning against the Carolina Hurricanes at Benchmark International Arena on March 14, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mark LoMoglio/NHLI via Getty Images) (Mark LoMoglio/NHLI via Getty Images)

Forwards Nikita Kucherov and Nick Paul are out for Saturday’s game against the Ottawa Senators due to illness.

The Lightning made the announcement just prior to puck drop.

The Senators begin play Saturday one point back of the second wild-card spot.

Kucherov and Paul each played in Tampa’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Seattle Kraken on Thursday. Kucherov has one assist in 18:51 of ice time and Paul was a minus-2 in 9:01.

The 32-year-old Kucherov has 40 goals and a league-leading 121 points in 67 games this season while Paul has six goals and 13 points in 41 games this year.