Injuries played a role as the Tampa Bay Lightning fell short in their bid to win three straight championships.
General manager Julien BriseBois updated the status of star centers Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov and others on Tuesday, two days after a 2-1 season-ending loss to Colorado in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final.
BriseBois said Point sustained a significant quad tear in his leg in Game 7 of the first round against Toronto. He sat out for 10 games, returned for Games 1 and 2 against the Avalanche and then didn’t play again.
Kucherov suffered a sprained MCL during the Final, most likely from a cross-check by Colorado’s Devon Toews in Game 3. He was limited to a goal and three assists in the series against the Avalanche.
Injuries also affected Bolts forwards Pierre-Edouard Bellemare (MCL), Brandon Hagel (broken foot), Corey Perry (shoulder), Anthony Cirelli (shoulder) and Nick Paul (shoulder, MCL), and defenseman Ryan McDonagh (finger).
BriseBois said all of the players are expected to be healthy in time for next season.
–Field Level Media