Lightning SCF Roundtable: Who steps up, Point’s return, series and Conn Smythe predictions

How do you envision Braydon Point being incorporated back into the Lightning Lineup?

Noah Wilson: Point isn’t 100%, I think that’s the case with a lot of players at this point. I could see Point being used on the second line playing more of a playmaking role as to not injure anything else, and on a line with Colton and Paul I could see them doing a lot of damage. Cooper has some choices to make with him, and I think a line of Point, Colton, and Paul would be a dangerous one that would be able to get past the Avalanche’s top-tier defense

Stephen Parrino: It does look like we’re going to get Point back for Game 1. I think the real question is how healthy, and how effective, he will be after missing a month. As for how he slots into the lineup, the top six feels set. Palat-Stamkos-Kucherov is delivering the offense and Cirelli with Hagel and Killorn have been great at shutting down whatever line Cooper has them up against. Point almost has to be put with Nick Paul and Ross Colton to start because I do not know how you can break up those lines for a player coming off injury, even if it is Brayden Point. Although, I do expect that he will jump right back into his top power play unit role.

Henry Yoho: I don’t think we’ll see Point playing 20 minutes in a game. It seems when he returns he’ll play a little further down in the lineup but you can still expect him to have a big impact, especially if he is able to skate up to his ability and possess the puck the way he can. When he does return to action, I think you can expect him to return to his spot on the top power play unit as well.