Tampa Bay Lightning forward Alex Killorn will miss Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday. Lightning head coach Jon Cooper says Killorn is considered day-to-day for the series and his replacement in the lineup will be revealed at game time.
Killorn blocked a shot from the point by Canadiens defenseman Jeff Petry toward the end of the second period. He skated one shift at the beginning of the third period but didn’t play after that.
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This is a big loss for the Lightning, even if Killorn is not necessarily viewed as one of the team’s biggest stars. “It’s going to be everyone having to step up in different roles. That’s the great thing about our team though is we have that depth. I’s going to take everybody,” said teammate Tyler Johnson. Killorn is a player who provides instant value and as a proven playoff performer, the team recognizes how crucial he is to their success.
Killorn ranks fourth in the NHL playoff scoring with 17 points. He’s tied for second for goals with eight. He’s a huge part of their successful power play and he’s a key part of the club’s second line, along with along with Anthony Cirelli and Steven Stamkos. He gets considerable on the penalty kill as well. Needless to say, his absence will be felt in all areas of the game.
Head coach Jon Cooper said of how much Killorn is underrated around the NHL. “When you win a hockey game, he’s contributed in a way that doesn’t always get his picture in the paper,” Cooper explained. He adds that you look at the sheets after the game and realize Killorn fingerprints are all over it, even if he’s not drawing the most attention.
The Lightning Will Need to Fill His Spot
You can’t really replace all the things Killorn gives you with one player. That’s why, whomever is tasked to jump in on that second line and get extra minutes in key facets of the offense and defense won’t be asked to do it alone. Cooper said, “Key part to our team, but it’s the playoffs. Guys are in and out. You lose guys all the time. It’s part of it. For tonight, we’re going to have to play without him.”
As Adam Gretz of NBC Sports points out, “The Lightning have been known to dress 11 forwards and seven defenders in situations like this, but it does not appear they are going to go that route on Monday as Luke Schenn (who would be the seventh defender) remained on the ice after the morning skate to get in extra work. It is likely that Mathieu Joseph will be inserted into the lineup on place of Killorn.”
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