The Lightning, already down Brayden Point, are in a state of limbo as they finish Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final.
Forward Nick Paul left in the first period after falling awkwardly from a shove by Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson.
Nick Paul to the locker room pic.twitter.com/phOKekKBIj
— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) June 21, 2022
He appeared to be in significant pain on the bench before heading down the tunnel. He did not return to the bench in the first period.
Paul did, however, return to the ice ahead of the second period. After a brief skate, he sat on the bench, but his return remained uncertain.
That status changed quickly, though.
The forward scored less than 90 seconds into the second period.
Three unanswered for the defending champs 😱 #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/RoNcICBGAl
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) June 21, 2022
Paul's return seemed as though Lightning fans could breathe a sigh of relief with his return and subsequent score; however, after talking with trainers, he returned to the locker room and has not returned.
The loss would be a significant one for a Lightning team looking to avoid falling behind 3-0 in the final to the Avalanche. They currently hold a 5-2 lead in Game 3 as of the time this article published.
Colorado previously took Game 1 thanks to Andre Burakovsky's OT winner and then thumped Tampa Bay in Game 2 to the tune of 7-0.
Paul has been a great trade deadline addition for Tampa Bay, centering their "forechecking" line alongside Ross Colton and either Brandon Hagel or Corey Perry. In 19 games this postseason, Paul has four goals and four assists, and his 22 blocked shots lead all Lightning forwards and are fifth on the team. He's added 49 hits as well, the sixth-most on the club.
Tampa Bay acquired the forward at the deadline from Ottawa for Mathieu Joseph and a 2024 fourth-round pick.
SCF Game 3: Avalanche vs. Lightning live score, updates
Will Paul return to Game 3?
After another stint down the tunnel, it appears Paul is back on the ice yet again, skating in the third period.
What is Paul's injury?
It's hard to tell exactly what injury Paul sustained. He fell awkwardly after the shove from Manson, and it looks like it could be a lower-body injury given how his legs gave out.
Nick Paul to the locker room pic.twitter.com/phOKekKBIj
— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) June 21, 2022
An official update has not been given by the Lightning.
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