Tampa Bay Lightning center Brayden Point hasn't played since the first round. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Brayden Point skates with Lightning ahead of ECF Game 1

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 6/1/22

Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final between the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning is Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden, and the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions could get back a significant piece to their rotation.

Big development here at Madison Square Garden ahead of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final.

Brayden Point is skating following an optional Tampa Bay Lightning morning skate. pic.twitter.com/vvLDH5JBFI
— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) June 1, 2022

Brayden Point. First time on ice around team since injury pic.twitter.com/4RMDJYGDty
— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithTB) June 1, 2022

Brayden Point doing some drills with Jeff Halpern. Not full speed but looks like progress @TBLightning pic.twitter.com/v20bSHezHb
— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithTB) June 1, 2022

While there was no word on Point's possible availability for the series opener as of early Wednesday afternoon, Lightning fans will likely take any sign of the former third-round pick's activity on-ice as a positive. Point finished the regular season second on the team with 28 goals and fifth in points with 58.

The 26-year-old was injured on May 14 during Game 7 against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the opening round of the playoffs. Head coach Jon Cooper said last week that there was a chance that Point would return this postseason.

Point has spent his entire six-year NHL career with Tampa Bay and led the league in both games played (82) and game-winning goals (12) during the 2017-18 campaign, while pacing the league in power-play goals (20) the following year. He has recorded 167 goals, 201 assists and 368 points over 417 career regular-season games.

More must-reads: