Jon Cooper just admitted the Lightning may be without Brayden Point for a while after the center left Sunday's game in Winnipeg in the first period.
Point went down the tunnel late in the first period and never came back. Tampa Bay lost that game 4-3 to the Jets, and the team had not given an update on his condition as the night played out.
Cooper did speak afterward, and Gabby Shirley relayed his words. The Lightning coach said he hopes it is not too serious, but admitted Point "may miss some time."
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That is not the tone a coach uses for a day-to-day bump. The sheet shows no injury listed for Point as of this morning, so the exact nature of the problem is unknown, and no timeline has been given.
The timing stings. Point scored twice in a row of strong form, with two assists in Saturday's overtime win in Minnesota, where he logged 21:55 of ice time. He enters the week with 16 points in 17 games.
Tampa Bay sits at 11-4-2, and the Lightning are 8-0-0 at home but just 3-4-2 on the road. Losing a center who has been this productive right as the club heads back out is a real problem.
Who steps in if Point is out for Tampa Bay?
Nothing in the information available says who would take his minutes. Cooper has not named a replacement, and the lineup for Wednesday in Buffalo is unknown.
What is clear is that the Lightning have leaned on their stars. Jake Guentzel played 24:34 in Saturday's win and Nikita Kucherov logged 25:31, with Kucherov scoring the game-winner. Those two will likely carry even more if Point sits.
That puts pressure on the depth up front. Point has 5 goals and 2 power-play goals this season, and his absence would hit a power play that has gotten production from several places.
The best case is a short absence of a game or two. Anything longer, and Julien Brisebois may have to look at his forward group in a hurry, since the Lightning are in a tight division and cannot let the road woes pile up.
We will keep tabs on Point and pass along the official word once the Lightning offer it. Wednesday's game in Buffalo is the next checkpoint.
Quick hits
PITTSBURGH PENGUINS: Ville Koivunen is day-to-day with a lower-body injury and will miss tonight's game in Anaheim, Dan Kingerski and the team confirmed. Another forward down for Pittsburgh.
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ANAHEIM DUCKS: Arturs Silovs is projected to start for the Penguins tonight against the Ducks, according to pghhockeynow. Pittsburgh is turning to a fresh face in goal.
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NEW JERSEY DEVILS: Connor Hellebuyck says he is "disappointed" he can't "face the music" in Winnipeg, as the Devils keep him out of Tuesday's game. That is a strange one for a goalie facing his old team.
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CALGARY FLAMES: Matthew Coronato won it in overtime for the Flames, 4-3 over the Flyers at the Saddledome, Gino Hard posted. A big finish for Calgary.
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WASHINGTON CAPITALS: Devils coach Sheldon Keefe said Connor Hellebuyck is expected to play both games against the Capitals when New Jersey gets back. Washington will see him twice.
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