Kucherov out 8-10 weeks after undergoing surgery

Tampa Bay Lightning superstar Nikita Kucherov will miss 8-10 weeks after undergoing surgery Tuesday on an unspecified lower-body injury, the team announced Wednesday.

Kucherov hasn't played since suffering an injury during Tampa Bay's third game of the season. The Lightning reportedly placed him on long-term injured reserve earlier this month.

Tampa Bay currently owns a 3-3-1 record and sits fourth in the Atlantic Division.

Kucherov missed the entire 2020-21 regular season while recovering from hip surgery. He returned for the playoffs and registered a league-high 32 points over 23 games as the Lightning captured their second consecutive Stanley Cup.

The 28-year-old has recorded one goal and three assists this season.