Nikita Kucherov will be out 8 to 10 weeks for the Tampa Bay Lightning after undergoing surgery for a lower body injury on Tuesday.

The forward has missed the last four games since being injured in a 2-1 overtime win over the Washington Capitals on Oct. 16. He’s scored four points (one goal, three assists) in three games this season.

“It’s certainly not an overnight thing, so we’ll wait until we have an official word, but it’s definitely out,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said on Oct. 18. “He’s going to be out for a while here. We’re not going to put a timeline on this until we get an official word. In the short term here he’s definitely out.”

Kucherov, who did not play the regular season last while recovering from hip surgery, led the Stanley Cup playoffs with 32 points (eight goals, 24 assists) in 23 games to assist the Lightning to win the Stanley Cup for a second consecutive season.

He scored 34 points (seven goals, 27 assists) in 25 playoff games in 2019-2020 and became the sixth player to lead the playoffs in scoring (no tie) in consecutive seasons (Mario Lemieux, 1991- 92; Wayne Gretzky, 1987 -88; Rick MacLeish, 1974-75; Phil Esposito, 1969-70; Howie Morenz, 1924-25).

“It’s even more frustrating for him because I just know the work it took for him to come back,” Cooper said. “He was finally rewarded by winning the Stanley Cup, but I know he was looking forward to having a big year. Like I said, it’s still early here so let’s see what the official diagnosis is, but every time he misses a game it’s frustrating for him, and so I feel for him. Again, let’s wait and see what happens. “

The Lightning (3-3-1) will host the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; BSSUN, BSAZ, ESPN +, NHL LIVE).