Lightning's Nikita Kucherov expected to play vs. Flames

Nikita Kucherov is expected to return from a 32-game injury absence on Thursday when the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Calgary Flames.

Kucherov has been sidelined since sustaining a lower-body injury on Oct. 16 in a game against the Washington Capitals. The former Hart Trophy recipient had surgery 10 days later and was expected be out 8-10 weeks.

"(Kucherov) is ready to go. I expect him to play," Lightning coach Jon Coop