The Tampa Bay Lightning are looking to stick the dagger in the Florida Panthers and pull off the stunning series sweep of the Presidents' Trophy winners. What's most remarkable about the Lightning's dominance in the second round has been the fact that Tampa has won three consecutive games without star forward Brayden Point available. The 26-year-old is dealing with a lower-body injury he picked up in Game 7 against the Maple Leafs and has not returned to the series since. Ahead of Game 4, the Lightning released their lines for the elimination game, indicating once again that Point would be sidelined.

This shouldn't come as a big surprise to fans considering the nature of the series. There doesn't seem much logic in rushing Point back for Game 4 while the Lightning maintain a healthy 3-0 lead. With Point on the sideline, Nicholas Paul will be slotted in as the center on the team's first line alongside superstars Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov.

The team hasn't released an update on Point's status since Game 3, but it certainly makes sense that the Lightning would try to finish off the Panthers without running the risk of their star center reaggravating his injury.

If Tampa is able to secure a win tonight, they'll get some much-needed time off in order to rest up for their Conference Finals matchup against either the Hurricanes or Rangers.

During the regular season, Point recorded 58 points in 66 games, scoring 28 goals and assisting 30. He's a two-time Cup winner and a key component of Tampa Bay's offensive identity, but despite his absence, the team has held up just fine.