Brayden Point factored on every goal in the Tampa Bay Lightning's 4-2 win Thursday night to help his team draw even in their Eastern Conference Second Round against the Boston Bruins.
Point (1-3–4) became the third player in club history to tally four points in a single Stanley Cup Playoffs game, but the youngest to do so at just 22 years and 48 days of age. He accomplished the feat with a trio of assists and an empty-netter scored at 19:34 in the third period to seal the game.
The Alberta-born forward's standout performance came after a 6-2 loss in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference series, in which he finished the night with an assist and a minus-five rating. His bounce-back effort should come as little to no surprise – his 12 regular-season game-winning goals were good for a share of the league-high, tied alongside Ted Lindsay Award finalist, Nathan MacKinnon.
''It feels good. I thought we played well,'' Point told reporters postgame. ''We had a tough night in Game 1. I thought we came back tonight knowing we'd end up better."
When Tampa Bay's head coach was asked if he considered mixing up his first line, which goes toe-to-toe with Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, and David Pastrnak (who have, so far, combined for 12 goals and 41 points over five Bruins wins this postseason) – Jon Cooper didn't balk.
''I honestly didn't. ... We know they can do it. We have faith in them, and I thought they were outstanding tonight. The kid [Point]'s a hockey player and he competes hard,'' Cooper spoke of the confidence he has in his group. A group that as it turns out, also has confidence in one another.
''Trust me, if there was any talk of pulling him off that line, I think those three guys would have marched right into my room and said, `What are you doing?'''
Point, who earned the game's second star while leading Lightning forwards with 19:48 of ice time, is already proving he can leave a mark on Tampa Bay's franchise – he already has on some of the city's youngest residents.
For those that missed it.... My sweet baby was named after Brayden Point.. He got to meet him today. 💙 https://t.co/TtBxCfuNRO
— Tori Jordan Doyle ⚡️ (@tori_brooke99) April 26, 2018