The Tampa Bay Lightning lose one of their star players for an unspecified amount of time. Forward Brayden Point is out indefinitely with an upper-body injury, the team announced earlier today.
Injury Update: Forward Brayden Point is out indefinitely with an upper body injury.
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) November 21, 2021
Brayden Point Injury Sidelines Him Indefinitely
The centerman has broken out in recent years with the Lightning. Especially during the 2018-19 season, when he racked up 92 points in only 79 games. So far this season, Point has 13 points in 16 games, on pace with his last few seasons. These points are nearly evenly split between goals (six) and assists (seven). His advanced numbers are also insane. A 57.4% Corsi For and an 11.2 relative Corsi further emphasize his positive impact on the Lightning. In his six-year career with the Lighting, he’s played 367 games, scored 146 games, assisted on 177 of them, totalling 323 points, nearly a point per game average. His shooting percentage over his career is also impressive at 17.4%.
How This Affects The Lightning
With Brayden Point out, the Lightning will have to turn to their other star players to pick up the slack. Specifically, Steven Stamkos has been playing some incredible hockey this season, over a point per game. In addition, Alex Killorn has been a welcome point-per-game surprise. He will be the likely candidate to take over Point’s spot on the scoresheet. Killorn is playing at exactly a point-per-game pace over 16 games, while also bringing a physical presence. Another center that will have to step up is Anthony Cirelli. His 10 points are respectable, but with a top-three goal scorer out of the lineup, his gameplay will have to be exceptional.
The Lightning’s depth is not nearly as good as last season. Their third and fourth lines were part of their back-to-back Stanley Cup championship wins, but without most of those same players, their star players now have to carry that load. Especially with Point out, their big guns will have to be even better.
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