Brayden Point will return for the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Avalanche on Wednesday night in Colorado.
The star forward has not played since May 14. He fell into action in Game 7 of the first-round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Punto looks readyLightning head coach Jon Cooper said Wednesday at noon.
Point has 28 goals and 30 assists in 66 games this season and added two goals and two assists in seven playoff games.
Jon Cooper is less certain about the status of forward Brandon Hagel. He just said waiting for news. Hagel has had two goals and three assists in 17 games since the playoffs began.
As for the Avalanche, all indications are that forwards Nazem Kadri and Andrew Cogliano will lose the first game of the final. Head coach Jared Bednar said their condition is being re-evaluated daily.
Also, Bednar did not disclose the identity of his starting goaltender. However, Darcy Kuemper did the starter routine in morning practice.
Lightning is aiming for a third consecutive Stanley Cup championship and fourth victory in franchise history. For its part, Avalanche is participating in the Grand Final for the first time in 21 years. He won top honors for the second time in his history in 2001.
The Canadian Press
Source: Radio-Canada
