Brayden Point Ruled Out for Eastern Conference Final

Brayden Point skated this morning following an optional team skate at Madison Square Garden. Usually this would be encouraging news, until Point took an awkward spill into the boards while skating with the Lightning skills coach.

Tampa Bay head coach Jon Cooper told reporters that "Point will play hockey again, but can't guarantee it's this year."He continued by saying, " Point has been ruled out for the Lightning Eastern Conference Final against the New York Rangers."

Whoa. Cooper's wording that Point "will play hockey again," really makes it seem like this had the potential of being a career-threatening injury. Point's injury occurred in Game 7 of the Bolts first round matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs. It appeared to be a brutal injury and Point was in immediate agony.

There is no question that Brayden Point is a very important piece to the Tampa Bay Lightning. He has been their Mr. Clutch, scoring overtime, game-clinching, and dagger goals for the Bolts in their two previous cup runs. The Bolts made short work of the Panthers in the second round, but his absence will become more and more obvious as the Lightning get into deeper rounds of the playoffs.

MUST READ

1 hour ago  |  By Graham Montgomery Connor Bedard's Struggles Prove Chicago Blackhawks are in Dire Need of a Coaching Change

2 hours ago  |  By Graham Montgomery NHL Analyst Believes Toronto Maple Leafs are Exploring Possible Reunion With Nazem Kadri

4 hours ago  |  By Graham Montgomery 800-Game NHL Veteran Nick Bonino Signs an Unexpected New Professional Contract

5 hours ago  |  By Graham Montgomery Jordan Reaves Calls Out Darnell Nurse After He Plays the Victim Following Hit From Brother Ryan

19 hours ago  |  By Graham Montgomery Two Maple Leafs Reporters Have Tense Altercation on Mitch Marner's Market Value

20 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks Nashville Predators Practice Takes a Nasty Turn as Players Fight On the Ice Due to Mounting Frustration

21 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks John Gibson Reportedly Willing to Waive No-Trade Clause for One Specific Team

23 hours ago  |  By Daniel Lucente Toronto Maple Leafs on the Verge of a Significant Forward Trade Per Top NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman

MORE STORIES