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Lightning Morning News: Brayden Point scratched due to missed meeting

Oct 11, 2024; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Brayden Point (21) celebrates scoring a goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

The Tampa Bay Lightning were missing an important part of their offense as they took on the Boston Bruins last night. It wasn’t because of injury or a trade. It was because of a missed meeting. Brayden Point was a healthy scratch during the 6-2 loss after he missed a meeting prior to the morning skate on Tuesday.

It’s not the first time Point has been held out of a game for missing a meeting. Back in February of 2019, he missed a game against the Philadelphia Flyers. As has long been the case for the Lightning, they hold their players accountable, no matter their importance to the line-up. The Bolts could have used their 25-goal man against a divisional foe, but Coach Cooper isn’t going to cut him a break just because he needs him.

“We’ve had a standard since I’ve been here, 12 years, whatever it’s been. This is professional sports and we’ve got rules. Nobody’s above the law. It’s unfortunate because this is a game where we really needed him. The one that probably really feels the worst about it is Pointer, because he’s such a great guy and great team guy,” Coach Cooper told the media following the game.

Expect Point to be back in the line-up on Thursday as the Bolts return home to face the Anaheim Ducks.

Lightning News

Lightning struggle in 6-2 loss to Bruins [Raw Charge]

It wasn’t a pretty 60 minutes of hockey. It also seemed to take forever.

J.J. Moser returns to the ice, still eyes February comeback [Tampa Bay Times]

Moser joined the Lightning on their recent road trip and even showed up on the ice following their morning skate on Tuesday. However, it looks like he won’t be back in action until around the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Ranking the top prospects under the age of 23 [The Athletic]

Last night’s goal-scorer, Conor Geekie gets a mention as a Tier 5 prospect. They have him pegged as a top-six forward and describe him as a “big center with the skills of a smaller player”.

Hockey News

NHL Central Scouting Mid-Term Report [CHL.CA]

While the Lightning are scuffling in the present, why not look to the future? NHL Central Scouting released their mid-season rankings of CHL skaters. Erie’s Matthew Schaeffer tops the list with Michael Misha and Porter Martone next up.

4 Nations Story storylines debated [NHL.com]

Shameless money grab or showcase of international talent is not one of the storylines the folks over at the league’s main site debated.

Grades for all 32 NHL teams at the mid-season point [ESPN]

The Worldwide Leader gives our favorite team a B+ calling them a “good team that could be better.” Recent run of play aside that seems to be an apt description of the squad overall through 41 games.

Every team’s top bargaining chip to use at the trade deadline [Bleacher Report]

This was briefly discussed in the game-thread comments last night in regards to what the Lightning might have to offer another team. The BR folks decided on the pair of second-round picks Mr. BriseBois has burning a hole in his pocket, but to us, the 2026 first-round pick could be the key. (Teams can try to pry Ike Howard out of our cold, dead hands).

Ten numbers behind the Gr8 Chase [NHL Edge]

An inside look at some numbers regarding Alex Ovechkin’s chase for glory. We’re leaning on him getting to within single digits by the end of the year.

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