Lightning's Nikita Kucherov exits Game 5 with apparent upper-body injury

TAMPA, Fla. -- Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov was forced from Game 5 of the Stanley Cup finals with what appeared to be an upper-body injury and did not return.

Kucherov left the ice after a net-front collision withChicago Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawfordthat sent him crashing into the left goalpost. He immediately went to the trainer's room.

Lightning coach Jon Cooper didn't have an update on Kucherov's condition after the team's 2-1 loss, only saying he would be evaluated later Saturday night or Sunday.

Should the Lightning be without Kucherov for any amount of time, that could be a costly blow for the Eastern Conference champions. The Russian-born winger, a member of the vaunted "Triplets" line, is second in the NHL playoffs with 10 goals and 22 points.

"Naturally he's a point-per-game guy in these playoffs," Cooper said. "He's a big part of our offense. In a series where goals are at a premium, it's tough when you lose one of your guys.

"Naturally losing a guy like Kuch, you don't want to lose guys like that."

It wasn't the only disaster of the opening frame for the Lightning. Shortly after Kucherov left the ice, goaltender Ben Bishop made a costly gaffe that resulted in a goal.

Bishop came out near the top of the left circle to play a puck, only to collide with his own defenseman Victor Hedman. As the two Lightning teammates went down, Blackhawks winger Patrick Sharp cruised in for an easy, empty-net goal that gave the Hawks a 1-0 lead.

Bishop, who is already battling an undisclosed injury, appeared to be shaken up after the play but remained in the game.