Tampa Bay Lightning Need to Get Brayden Point Going on Homestand

The Tampa Bay Lightning’s struggles through the first four games of the season have been well documented with many of the issues surrounding around the team defense. One component of their game that has not been there yet that we expect to be there is Brayden Point in the goal scoring department. Through four games, Point is yet to record a goal and the Lightning begin a five-game homestand Thursday night with a chance for him to turn the corner.

Point scored the quietest 50 goals perhaps in NHL history last season. He is not expected to necessarily be a 50 goal per season player but the Lightning will be in a better place once he gets rolling offensively. Through four games, Point still has four assists. Three of those helpers came on opening night’s win over Nashville.

If Brayden Point went four games without a goal at any other part of the season, we probably do not make much of it. But since it is the beginning of the season, the drought is magnified a bit more.

Point’s 50 goal campaign a year ago did not exactly come out of the gate on fire either. Point had just one goal through the first four games and eventually got to five goals through the first 10 games.

A big reason for the slow start is likely that Point has had several different wingers on his left side. Nikita Kucherov remains a staple on the right but so far we have seen Brandon Hagel and Steven Stamkos get action on this line. On Tuesday, we saw the latest player to enter his name into the mix for the top line role, Alex Barre-Boulet. Barre-Boulet looked fine with this top line and they ended up being the best line for Tampa Bay in their 3-2 OT loss in Buffalo.

Barre-Boulet’s performance Tuesday looks to have earned him another chance to play on this top line despite the expectation that Stamkos will return after missing the last two games. It looks as Barre-Boulet will start there Thursday night when the Lightning take on Vancouver to begin the homestand. If Barre-Boulet is able to find chemistry with this group, Point could see his production bump up if they are able to work together consistently.

With the Lightning playing their next five and seven of their next 11 at home, there is plenty of reason to expect Point’s production to follow. 32 of his 50 goals last season came in Tampa. 12 of those 32 goals also came on the power play. In Tampa Bay’s only other home game this season, they scored two power play goals and Point assisted on both. Look for the power play to get Point going on this upcoming homestand.