The Tampa Bay Lightning have been without Brayden Point since Game 7 of their first-round NHL Playoffs matchup vs. the Toronto Maple Leafs, when he went down with a lower-body injury. Despite returning to that game, that was the last fans have seen of the star forward, who has yet to return to the lineup since. The Lightning star was absent the entire four-game series against the Florida Panthers, and now he's missed the first four games of the Eastern Conference Finals against the New York Rangers. All of this leaves fans wondering, is Brayden Point playing tonight?

Is Brayden Point playing tonight in Game 5 vs. Rangers

While Lightning fans were hoping for a positive Brayden Point injury report, that is unfortunately not the case. According to Chris Krenn, Jon Cooper revealed Thursday morning that Point would not be available in Game 5, marking the ninth consecutive absence for the 26-year-old.

What once seemed like an injury that would only keep Point out for a short period of time has slowly evolved into something much more concerning. Tampa Bay continues to remain tight-lipped on the severity of his injury, as he's effectively been a game-time decision in each of the past nine games. Despite being seen on the ice during a morning skate earlier in the week, Point is still not ready to suit up for game action and will be sidelined once again in Game 5.

His next chance to play will be Game 6 when the series returns to Tampa Bay on Saturday, June 11. With things currently knotted up at 2-2, a loss on Thursday would put the Lightning on the brink of elimination. Point's absence will be a big blow for the Lightning, though it's not something they haven't been able to overcome throughout the playoffs.