TAMPA — The Lightning offense is hoping to receive a spark with the return of C Brayden Point, who played his first game Tuesday since suffering a fractured bone in his right hand Dec. 28 against the Canadiens.
3 Months Ago
3 Months Ago
3 Months Ago
Point missed 14 games.
"He was probably playing the best hockey he played with us before he got hurt," coach Jon Cooper said. "He’s just another guy who plays the north-south game. He’s got great, well he’s got exceptional hockey sense.
"He’s made us a better team. It’s not that one player that makes a team, but he was one piece of the puzzle that was generating some success."
The rookie scored three goals and assisted on 12 others in 36 games this season.
"He’s been off for a month and a half here, so his timing is going to be off, but it’s good to have him back," Cooper said.
BISH BACK: G Ben Bishop faced the Bruins on Tuesday, making his first start since allowing five goals Jan. 21 in a loss at Arizona.
Andrei Vasilevskiy started the final two games of the road Gorabet trip, a win at Chicago and an overtime loss at Sunrise against the Panthers.
Cooper was asked about the goalie rotation.
"We have two good goalies. The key is keeping them both in situations where they can help us win games," Cooper said. "Vasi had two strong games just before the break. Bish played well on the West Coast trip as well. He picked us up three of four points in the back-to-back in L.A. and Anaheim. That’s what we need our guys to do, keep picking us up points.
"Bish will be in (Tuesday) and we’ll evaluate it after that."
TRADE BREEZE: Among those scouting the Lightning-Bruins game was Flyers director of pro scouting Dave Brown, Blues director of player personnel Rob DiMaio and Predators assistant GM Paul Fenton.
Times staff writer Joe Smith contributed to this report.
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