Lightning forward Brayden Point hasn't played since the opening round of the playoffs.
That's about to change when the two-time defending champs take on the Colorado Avalanche in Wednesday's Stanley Cup Finals Game 1.
Head coach Jon Cooper announced Point — who's dealt with a lower-body injury — is good to go, giving Tampa a boost on the wings.
Lightning vs. Avalanche Stanley Cup Game 1 Betting Odds
Tampa Bay's the underdog in both the opener and for the series as a whole. The Lightning are priced +130 on the road in Game 1 , and +150 to hoist Lord Stanley for the third straight campaign.
It's been roughly a month since we last saw Point, who was hurt in Game 6 against the Leafs. He skated the following game, but logged just five minutes.
Tampa barely skipped a beat in Point's absence, going 8-2.
Despite sharing the ice with Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov and other stat stuffers over his tenure, Point's been elite for the Lightning, especially when it matters: His 14 tallies in both the 2020 and '21 postseasons led the league.
The 26-year-old recorded 28 goals during this past regular season — his most since 2018-19 — on top of 30 assists. He notched points in three playoff games vs. Toronto, including a two-point effort in Game 6 before exiting.
Point's accustomed to playing among the top six forwards, though he skated alongside Nick Paul and Ross Colton on the third line in Tuesday's practice.
Tampa Bay's flourished in the underdog role in the postseason, winning 13 of the last 16 contests.
The over/under for Wednesday's clash, meanwhile, is painted 6 (-110/-110) across the board.
