Tampa Bay Lightning center Brayden Point. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Lightning 'planning to play without' Brayden Point in ECF

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated Jun 1, 2022 8:30 PM ET

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."

#Bolts head coach Jon Cooper on Brayden Point: “We’re planning to play without him. If he gets to play in this series, that’s a bonus for everybody.”#TBLvsNYR
— Chris Krenn (@Chris_Krenn) June 1, 2022

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.

Mike Santa Barbara

Mike Santa Barbara is a Wilmington, Delaware native (Yes, it's a real place) with over a decade of sports writing experience. A diehard Philadelphia sports fan, he has two dogs named after Flyers and cried real tears when the Eagles won Super Bowl LII. You can follow him on Twitter at @mike__sb

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