Lightning’s Jon Cooper: ‘Extremely probable’ Brayden Point plays in Cup final

TAMPA — Lightning All-Star center Brayden Point didn’t end up cracking the lineup for Game 6 against the Rangers, but there’s better hope that he will be back on the ice before this postseason wraps up.

After the Lightning clinched their Stanley Cup final berth for the third consecutive season, coach Jon Cooper said it is “extremely probable” Point plays in the series against the Colorado Avalanche (which will begin Wednesday in Denver at 8 p.m.).

“I don’t know about Game 1,” Cooper said, “but it’s extremely probable that he plays in the series.”

Saturday marked the 10th consecutive game Point has missed since sustaining a lower-body injury in Game 7 of the opening round against the Maples Leafs. He tallied two goals and two assists through seven games.

Throughout the Rangers series, Point showed signs of progress with his skating, working in full pads daily since June 1′s series opener. His return to the lineup would be crucial as he has led the league in goal scoring for the past two playoffs with 14 each year.

Contact Mari Faiello at mfaiello@tampabay.com. Follow @faiello_mari.

• • •

Sign up for Lightning Strikes, a weekly newsletter from Bolts beat writer Eduardo A. Encina that brings you closer to the ice.

Never miss out on the latest with the Bucs, Rays, Lightning, Florida college sports and more. Follow our Tampa Bay Times sports team on Twitter and Facebook.