Point has not played since November 20th but will be back in the Lightning lineup vs. Montreal. His return should provide a huge boost to a Tampa team that is missing quite a few bodies due to COVID-19 protocol. Point is expected to centre a line with Alex Killorn and Mathieu Joseph.
Point was a full participant in Monday's practice and Lightning assistant coach Derek Lalonde said that he is in the "day-to-day category" but "might return tomorrow vs. Montreal." This would be a huge boost for the Lightning, who are missing six players due to COVID-19 protocol right now.
After placing four players in protocol on Sunday, Cirelli and Andrej Sustr were added on Monday morning. Luckily for the Lightning, Brayden Point was back on the ice for practice and may return to the lineup to replace Cirelli on Tuesday.
The Lightning are set to play four games in six days this week but lost both goalies, Mikhail Sergachev and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare to COVID-19 on Sunday and both Anthony Cirelli and Andrej Sustr on Monday. With both Vasilevskiy and Brian Elliott out, Maxime Lagace is expected to be promoted and start on Tuesday.
Bjorkstrand joins Boone Jenner, Eric Robinson and Joonas Korpisalo, who remain in protocol and will likely be sidelined until at least the middle of next week.
Moser was a second-round pick in this summer's NHL draft and is set to make his NHL debut after just 18 AHL games. The 21-year-old defenseman has tallied five goals and seven assists (12 points) with Tucson and will be the fifth Coyote to make his NHL debut this season.
Johansson was placed on waivers because Pavel Francouz returned to the Avalanche over the weekend. Johansson has posted a 3.89 GAA and .880 SV% in six games this season and will be the Panthers' No.3 netminder moving forward.
Gourde will miss Saturday's game vs. the Blue Jackets after being placed in COVID-19 protocol. Alexander True was recalled from the AHL to take Gourde's spot on the roster.
Cirelli is not on the ice for warmups in Ottawa, so he will miss his second straight game with an upper-body injury. Ross Colton will remain on the second line with Cirelli out.
The Lightning initially called Cernak day-to-day but was downgraded on Friday afternoon. Don't expect to see Cernak back until after the Christmas break. Zach Bogosian should continue to skate in the top-4 while Cernak is out.
Schmidt was a third-round pick (No.96 overall) in this summer's NHL Draft. The former USNDT player is now in the OHL and has picked up 11 points (6G / 5A) in 22 games on the Kitchener Rangers' blueline.
Cirelli picked up an injury vs. the Canadiens on Tuesday and missed Thursday's morning skate. Head coach Jon Cooper called Cirelli a game-time decision and they will need him vs. the Maple Leafs.
