Lightning center Brayden Point has not played in a game since Game 7 of the Tampa Bay-Toronto first-round series on May 14, and it does not appear as though he will be back any time soon.
Point has been dealing with a lower-body injury. It was a non-contact injury that he suffered when trying to stop and pivot against the Leafs. He fell down to the ice, immediately grabbing at his right hip.
He attempted to play another shift, but he was clearly in pain and unable to put much weight on the leg. We have not seen him skate with the team since.
Despite the loss of their top-line center, the Lightning’s hopes of a three-peat are very much still alive. After their Game 7 win against the Leafs, the Lightning swept the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Panthers in the second round, making it to their third consecutive conference finals. They are currently down 2-1 in the Eastern Conference Final to the Rangers.
In seven games this postseason, Point registered two goals and two assists. He was instrumental in the club’s back-to-back Stanley Cup wins the past two seasons, leading all players in goals both postseasons.
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When will Brayden Point return?
The timetable for Point ‘s return is still unknown. June 1 was his first time back on the ice since the injury, and he did not appear to be skating at 100 percent.
That same day, coach Jon Cooper said to “temper expectations” on a Point return.