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Already without Kucherov, Lightning lose Point to injury

Already without Kucherov, Lightning lose Point to injury

TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 20: Brayden Point #21 of the Tampa Bay Lightning battles for the puck and is tripped by Ryan Graves #33 of the New Jersey Devils during the third period at Amalie Arena on November 20, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mark LoMoglio/NHLI via Getty Images)

NHLI via Getty Images

After some early stumbles, the Lightning were really gathering steam, even without Nikita Kucherov. Now the Lightning will need to keep it going with Brayden Point also lost to what sounds like a significant injury.

Update: the Lightning announced that Brayden Point is expected to miss four-to-six weeks with an upper-body injury.

Lightning lose Point, who’s out indefinitely with upper-body injury

Point most likely suffered the injury when he was tripped up on a breakaway against the Devils. For what it’s worth, Point did return to that game, and attempted a penalty shot.

If you’re looking for even a vague window on what “indefinite” could mean, you’re out of luck.

Through 16 games this season, Point generated 13 points (7G, 6A). As usual, Point brings more than just, erm, points to the Lightning, being a strong play-driver. The Lightning were leaning on Point more than usual, too, as he averaged exactly 20 minutes per night after averaging between 18:26 and 18:55 TOI the past three seasons.

Heading into Sunday’s game against the Wild, the Lightning carried a 9-4-3 record. That Devils game ended a Lightning point streak, as they’re 7-1-2 in their last 10 games.

Along with Kucherov and Point, the Lightning have also been without defenseman Erik Cernak lately. Back in late October, Kucherov’s recovery window was estimated at 8-10 weeks. If that recovery window remains unchanged, the Lightning should get Kucherov back between January and February. Again, it’s unclear if Point will be back by then.

If any team can withstand injury losses of both Kucherov and Point, it’s the Lightning. That doesn’t mean it will be easy, and the Bolts may not have much luck making up ground against the red-hot Panthers in the Atlantic Division.

James O’Brien is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @cyclelikesedins.