Brayden Point One Step Closer To Return

The Tampa Bay Lightning are gearing up for the Stanley Cup Finals, and a shot at the first three-peat in 40 years. They got a big boost Monday morning, when center Brayden Point was back on the ice for a full skate for the first time since going down with a lower-body injury almost exactly one month ago.

Brayden Point centering line with Paul and Colton at today’s practice. First time doing rushes in full skate

— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithTB) June 13, 2022

Lightning beat writer Joe Smith of The Athletic reports that Point was centering a line with Ross Colton and Nick Paul at this morning's practice. 

Point was injured in the Lightning's Game 7 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs in Round One of the playoffs, on May 14th. 

The Lightning have survived his absence by battling through to the Stanley Cup Finals for the 3rd straight season, looking for their 3rd straight title.

Tampa head coach Jon Cooper had already said on the weekend that while he can't guarantee a Game 1 appearance on Wednesday, it's "extremely probable" that Point plays in the Finals.

Photo Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports