HIGHLIGHTS
- Lightning star Brayden Point was a late scratch vs Bruins after missing team meeting
- Tampa Bay ended up losing 6-2 without Point
- Read below to see head coach Jon Cooper’s comments on the matter
The Tampa Bay Lightning were hammered 6-2 by the Boston Bruins on Tuesday night and they made Brayden Point a late scratch after he missed a team meeting. Point, one of their best players, had to watch from the sidelines despite being healthy as his squad lost to a divisional rival.
Point has played in 37 of 42 games for the Bolts this season, contributing 25 goals and 22 assists. Jack Finley stepped in for Point and had one shot on goal in what was his NHL debut.
Following the defeat, head coach Jon Cooper spoke out on the Point situation, making it clear that “Nobody’s above the law”.
Via the Tampa Bay Times’ Eduardo A. Encina:
“We’ve had a standard since I’ve been here … It’s professional sports and you’ve got rules and nobody’s above the law,” Cooper said. It’s unfortunate because this game we could have really needed him, but the one that probably feels the worst about it is Pointer.”
Cooper is right. The Lightning definitely could’ve used Point. Despite outshooting Boston 45-23, Tampa struggled immensely to put away their opportunities, but credit also needs to be given to Jeremy Swayman. He made 43 saves.
Point is expected to be back in the lineup on Thursday when the Bolts host the Anaheim Ducks. Tampa Bay is in third place in the Atlantic Division with a 23-16-3 record, sitting seven points behind the Toronto Maple Leafs in top spot.
The 28-year-old Point will play for Cooper and the Canadian National Team at the 4 Nations Face-Off next month.