Lightning's Kucherov hurt after crashing into Blackhawks' net in Game 5

Nikita Kucherov paid the price for a scoring chance early in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final.

The Tampa Bay Lightning forward intercepted a pass near the Chicago Blackhawks' net, but he tripped over Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford and slammed his right shoulder and neck into the far post. Kucherov left the game immediately after the collision in obvious discomfort and did not return.

Kucherov is second in the league with 22 postseason points.

Jonathan Drouin took Kucherov's place on the scoring line with Ondrej Palat and Tyler Johnson.

Lightning coach Jon Cooper did not have an update regarding Kucherov's status after the game.