Lightning 'planning to play without' Brayden Point in ECF
Tampa Bay Lightning center Brayden Point hasn't played since the opening round of the NHL playoffs and his status moving forward is still up in the air.
Point suffered a right leg injury in Game 7 against the Toronto Maple Leafs on May 14. On Wednesday, ahead of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final against the New York Rangers, Lightning coach Jon Cooper gave the impression the star center won't be back on the ice any time soon.
"We're planning to play without him," Cooper told NHL.com's Chris Krenn. "If he gets to play in this series, that's a bonus for everybody."
Cooper didn't dismiss the possibility that Point could play in the Stanley Cup Final if the Lightning were to advance but noted it's too early to know.
"It's way too soon to tell now if he's going to be able to play or not," Cooper said. "I think the worst is over for him now....I would temper any of the expectations of him coming back at all."
Point was second on the Lightning in goals (28), finishing behind only Steven Stamkos (42). He finished with 58 points in 66 regular-season games.
In seven playoff games, Point registered two goals and two assists.
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