Lightning's Brayden Point: Produces three points in win
Rotowire
Point scored two first-period goals and was credited with an assist during Friday's 5-2 victory over the visiting Blues.
Point, who converted for the first time in eight games Friday, opened the scoring and then connected on the eventual game-winner by the 8:04 mark of the opening frame. The 26-year-old center rebounded from registering a season-worst minus-3 rating during Monday's loss to the Bruins. At the time of Point's second tally during a man-advantage situation Friday, the Lightning had more goals (3) than the Blues had shots (2).
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Lightning's Brayden Point: Two apples keep doctor away
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Point put up two assists Saturday in a 3-2 overtime win over the Predators.
Both came on the power play. Point has 18 points (six goals, 12 assists) in as many games, but hasn't put a puck past the goal line in six games. That will come -- he's delivered at least 23 goals in five straight seasons.
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Lightning's Brayden Point: Dishes two helpers in loss
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Point recorded a pair of assists and four shots on goal in Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Oilers.
Point continues to pile up offense -- this was his fourth multi-point effort during his five-game streak. In that span, he has two goals and seven assists, bringing his season totals to six tallies and nine helpers in 13 contests. The center has added 37 shots on net and a plus-3 rating while holding down his usual top-line job.
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Lightning's Brayden Point: Consistent performer
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Point is riding a four-game, seven-point scoring streak heading into Tuesday's game against Edmonton.
He's finally finding some consistency. Point had six points, including four goals, in his first eight games of the season, but only had points in four of those eight contests. That may have been linked to his recovery from the quad tear suffered in Round 1 of the playoffs last season. Now healthy, Point has 13 points in 12 games and his 18.2 shooting percentage is right in line with his career mark (17.1).
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Lightning's Brayden Point: Two points against Sens
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Point scored a goal and an assist in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Senators.
Both points came in the final eight minutes of the third period as he led a comeback from a 3-2 deficit. Point has posted back-to-back two-point performances and has four multi-point efforts in his last six games, giving him five goals and 10 points through 10 contests on the season.
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Lightning's Brayden Point: Bags two apples in win
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Point picked up two assists in a 4-3 win over San Jose on Saturday.
Point has eight points (four goals, four assists) in nine games. It's his third two-point game in the last five contests. Point is starting to pick up the pace after the entire Bolts squad started slowly.
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Lightning's Brayden Point: First goal of season
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Point scored a goal in a 6-2 loss to Pittsburgh on Saturday.
He now has a goal and an assist in three games. Point is coming back from a severe quadriceps tear suffered in last year's playoffs. It's healed, but there's still some rust on his game. Point will shed it soon enough.
Point notched a power-play assist, three shots on goal and two hits in Tuesday's 3-1 loss to the Rangers.
Point helped out on the lone Lightning goal of the game, scored by Steven Stamkos in the second period. The 26-year-old Point sustained a torn quadriceps injury in the playoffs last year, but he's fully healthy heading into 2022-23. He should see regular usage as the Lightning's top center. He recorded 58 points in 66 regular-season games last season, while adding 176 shots on net, 75 hits and a minus-5 rating in a similar role.
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Lightning's Brayden Point: Ready to go
Rotowire
Point (quadriceps) has been cleared for the start of the training camp, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports Wednesday.
Point missed the bulk of the postseason due to his quadriceps injury, logging just nine of the Bolts' 23 contests in which he notched two goals and three assists. During the regular season, the 26-year-old Calgary native notched his fifth straight 20-goal season and fell just two points shy of a fourth 60-point campaign. With Point fully fit, he figures to slot into a second-line role and should be on the No. 1 power-play unit.
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Lightning's Brayden Point: Dealt with torn quad
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Point was dealing with a "significant tear" in his quad toward the end of the playoffs. He's expected to make a full recovery in a "few weeks," Joe Smith of The Athletic reports.
Point missed 14 of the Lightning's last 16 playoff games due to his quad injury, which likely at least partially contributed to Tampa Bay's inability to get past the Avalanche in the Stanley Cup Finals. Point, who racked up 28 goals and 58 points through 66 regular-season appearances before adding five points through nine playoff contests this season, should be fully recovered well ahead of training camp in September.
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Lightning's Brayden Point: Won't play Game 6
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Point (undisclosed) will remain sidelined for Sunday's Game 6 against Colorado, per Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic.
Point rejoined the Lightning for the first two games of the Stanley Cup Finals, logging an assist, but was kept out of the following three contests. The 26-year-old center has two goals and three assists in nine games this postseason.
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Lightning's Brayden Point: Not playing Friday
Rotowire
Point (undisclosed) is not on the ice for warmups, indicating he won't play Friday's Game 5 versus the Avalanche, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.
Point will miss a third straight game with the injury, which may be an aggravation of his previous leg injury. The center's absence won't be made worse since Anthony Cirelli (arm) is on track to play in Friday's must-win contest.
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Lightning's Brayden Point: Doubtful Wednesday
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Point (undisclosed) is expected to remain sidelined for Wednesday's Game 4 clash with Colorado, Tracey Myers of NHL.com reports.
Point will miss his second straight game due to his lingering undisclosed injury and 12th overall game this postseason. In Point's absence, Corey Perry should maintain his place on the No. 1 power-play unit while Riley Nash will fill out the lineup. At this point, it's hard to imagine Point suiting up again this postseason given how many games he has missed, though he hasn't been officially ruled out.
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Lightning's Brayden Point: Out Monday
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Point (undisclosed) will not be available for Game 3 against the Avalanche on Monday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.
Point has one assist while averaging 17:19 of ice time in two games this series after missing the previous 10 contests. It's unclear if the 26-year-old is dealing with an aggravation of his leg injury or if he's out for a separate issue. Riley Nash is expected to suit up in his absence Monday.
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Lightning's Brayden Point: Labeled game-time call
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Point is considered a game-time decision ahead of Game 3 against the Avalanche on Monday with an undisclosed injury, Sportsnet's Chris Johnston reports.
While coach Jon Cooper didn't officially cite Point's previous leg injury as the reason for his potential absence, it's hard to imagine that's not the cause of the center's absence from the game-day skate. If Point does miss out, Riley Nash will likely step into the lineup in a bottom-six role while Corey Perry would move into Point's spot on the No. 1 power-play unit.
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Lightning's Brayden Point: Earns assist in return
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Point (leg) notched an assist in 17:59 of ice time in Wednesday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Avalanche in Game 1.
Point returned to the lineup after missing 10 contests with the leg injury he sustained in Game 7 of the first round versus the Maple Leafs. He helped out on a Nick Paul tally in the first period. After the game, Greg Wyshynski of ESPN.com reports Point was not made available to the media as he received medical treatment, though at this stage, it's likely just injury management. He's earned five points and 21 shots on net in eight playoff outings, and pending any further injury issues, he should see a middle-six role with power-play time throughout the Stanley Cup Finals.
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Lightning's Brayden Point: Cleared to play in Game 1
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Point (leg) will be back in the lineup against Colorado for Game 1 on Wednesday, Samantha Pell of The Washington Post reports.
Point returns following a 10-game stint on the sidelines due to his leg problem. Prior to getting hurt, the 26-year-old center registered four points in seven games, including three with the man advantage. Based on practice lines, Point should be expected to fill a third-line role in Game 1 while also slotting into the No. 1 power-play unit.
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Lightning's Brayden Point: Takes line rushes
Rotowire
Point (leg) was a full practice participant Monday, including taking line rushes with the third line, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports.
It's far from a guarantee that Point will be available for Game 1 versus the Avalanche on Wednesday, but it certainly appears as though the 26-year-old center is trending in the right direction. In the first round against Toronto, Point generated four points, including three with the man advantage.
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Lightning's Brayden Point: Should return during Stanley Cup
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Point (leg) is "extremely probable" to play during the Stanley Cup Final, Greg Wyshynski of ESPN.com reports.
Point has been out for the last two rounds after an injury he suffered in Game 7 of the first round. The 26-year-old center hasn't been declared good to go for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, but head coach Jon Cooper is optimistic he'll have Point back at some point as the Lightning look to complete their three-peat. He can be considered day-to-day at this stage in his recovery.
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Lightning's Brayden Point: Not in lineup for Game 6
Rotowire
Point (leg) isn't on the ice for warmups, indicating he won't play in Saturday's Game 6 versus the Rangers.
Point has been inching closer to a return for much of the Eastern Conference Final, but he'll need at least a couple more days to be ready. With Point still out, Riley Nash should remain in the lineup for the Lightning. Point was reportedly a game-time decision Saturday, so he may be able to go in Game 7 on Tuesday if the Rangers win or in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final if the Lightning advance.
