Brayden Point injury update: Will Lightning forward be available for Game 6 of Eastern Conference Final?

Bryan Murphy

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Brayden Point injury update: Will Lightning forward be available for Game 6 of Eastern Conference Final? image

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. 

ECF PREVIEW: Lightning vs. Rangers

When will Brayden Point return?

Cooper said on Saturday that if Point is participating in warmups ahead of Game 6, then he's a game-time decision. If he's not, then he's out. 

Point did not take part in warmups for Tampa Bay, therefore, ruling him out for the game. 

When is Game 6 of the Lightning-Rangers series?

Game 6 of the Lightning-Rangers series is Saturday at 8 p.m. ET. It will take place at Amalie Arena in Tampa.

Viewers in the U.S. can watch the game nationally on ESPN. The Canadian audience can view the game on Sportsnet. 

Game Matchup Time (ET) TV channel (U.S.) TV channel (Canada)
Game 6 Lightning vs. Rangers 8 p.m. ESPN Sportsnet, CBC, TVA Sports

Bryan Murphy

Bryan Murphy Photo

Bryan Murphy joined The Sporting News in 2022 as the NHL/Canada content producer. Previously he worked for NBC Sports on their national news desk reporting on breaking news for the NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL, in addition to covering the 2020 and 2022 Olympic Games. A graduate of Quinnipiac University, he spent time in college as a beat reporter covering the men’s ice hockey team.