If the last couple games are any indication, holding leads has become a bit of a challenge for the Tampa Bay Lightning of late. Today, that blown lead didn’t end up hurting them on the bottom line. After giving up two goals with the goalie pulled to let the Minnesota Wild knot things at four, the Bolts won the game in a shootout to take two points.
Unfortunately, news on the injury front isn’t going to make holding leads any easier. In fact, it might make even earning a lead in the first place more difficult for the Bolts. The team announced today that Brayden Point is out indefinitely with what is believed to be a shoulder injury. He was hurt after crashing awkwardly into the boards on a partial breakaway in the team’s last outing against the New Jersey Devils.
With Point on the sidelines, the Lightning are without two of the games brightest offensive stars in their lineup. There aren’t many teams that could afford to lose players of Point’s and Nikita Kucherov’s caliber and stay competitive, but Tampa Bay is going to have to try.
Despite the blown lead on Sunday evening, the game against the Wild leaves some reason for optimism on that front. The contest saw Anthony Cirelli (x2), Pat Maroon, and Alex Barre-Boulet pot the puck for the team in blue. It’s a testament to the group’s depth starting to find its footing, something that the Lightning will absolutely need consistently if they want to compete with Kucherov and Point in the press box. That depth is now, in many cases, centerpieces that are going to be counted on for contributions with regularity.
Beyond the depth players now being thrust into more prominent roles, Steven Stamkos will remain at head coach Jon Cooper’s disposal. With an assist on Sunday, Stamkos added a fourth point in his last four games to get to 19 points in 17 appearances this season. Reportedly as healthy as he’s been in years, Stamkos looks like a rejuvenated version of himself. And, that’s a major plus for the Lightning as they seek to navigate life with a hollowed lineup. He may not be the 60-goal threat that he once was, but Stamkos can still be “the guy” for this group when others are out.
Even with those positives considered, though, it’s tough to understate the impact of losing both Point and Kucherov. As evidence, take a look at the top-six heading into Sunday’s Minnesota contest. Outside of Stamkos, the remaining names were Ondrej Palat, Barre-Boulet, Alex Killorn, Cirelli, and Mathieu Joseph. If you add up their career point totals, you get 940 points. If you add Point and Kucherov’s career point totals, you get 874 points. The discrepancy between those two players and the five other players now in top-six roles isn’t particularly significant. You simply can’t replace star power in a hard-cap world.
Considering all the injury challenges this Tampa Bay Lightning team has faced this year, remember to be thankful for back-to-back Stanley Cups.
As always, thanks for reading.
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