Lightning Bench Star Forward Brayden Point for Missing Team Meeting
The Tampa Bay Lightning are taking a firm stance with star forward Brayden Point, benching him ahead of a key divisional game against the Boston Bruins.
Point will miss the game due to missing a team meeting, leaving the Lightning short-handed as they aim to extend their point streak to five games against their Atlantic Division rivals. Despite his importance to the team, the Lightning are demonstrating zero tolerance for the violation.
Point participated in the morning skate but did not join in special teams practice.
This season, Point has been a key contributor, playing in 37 games and leading the team with 25 goals and 22 assists for a total of 47 points. He ranks third in points on the team, behind Nikita Kucherov (62 points) and Brandon Hagel (48 points).
With Point out, 22-year-old forward Jack Finley will make his NHL debut. Finley, who participated in the rookie lap at TD Garden, will play on the fourth line alongside Zemgus Girgensons and Mitchell Chaffee.
Finley, drafted by the Lightning in the second round of the 2020 NHL Draft (57th overall), has spent most of his career with the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch. In 10 games this season, he has recorded two goals and four assists for six points.
Point is expected to return to the Lightning lineup on Thursday when they face the Anaheim Ducks at home.
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