Gagne, Kubina still out for Lightning

TAMPA -- Tampa Bay Lightning coach Guy Boucher managed to crack a joke when asked about the statuses of forward Simon Gagne and defenseman Pavel Kubina for Tuesday night.

"Simon and Kubina are not going to play. If I want them to play tomorrow, I better start praying," Boucher said Tuesday morning at the St. Pete Times Forum, where Game 3 of this Eastern Conference Semifinal will be held in just a few hours. "They're day-to-day -- except for today and tomorrow."

The Lightning lost both Gagne and Kubina during Friday night's Game 1 at the Verizon Center. Gagne fell awkwardly early in the first period due to a hit from Scott Hannan and his head struck the ice. Kubina was injured in the second period after being hit by Jason Chimera -- a hit Kubina declined to comment on Tuesday morning.

"It's getting better every day," Kubina said. "I'm not playing tonight. We'll see about tomorrow."

Randy Jones took Kubina's spot in the lineup Sunday night and started the play that led to Vincent Lecavalier's goal in overtime. Jones will be in the lineup again tonight, as will Blair Jones, who replaced Gagne on Sunday.

Back to top