Cooper Expects More from Point and Kucherov as Lightning Ties Canadiens 2-2 in Third Period

Cooper expects more from Point and Kucherov as Lightning, Canadiens battle to 2-2 tie in third period Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said he anticipates increased production from forwards Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov after the team’s 2-2 tie with the Montreal Canadiens late in the third period. The game remained tightly contested through two periods before Kucherov took a hard fall on the ice during the third, drawing immediate attention from players and officials. Despite the incident, he remained in the contest as both sides traded chances. Cooper acknowledged that while Point and Kucherov have been contributing, he believes they can elevate their play further as the Lightning push for positioning in the Atlantic Division standings. The result keeps Tampa Bay within striking distance of a playoff spot, with each point becoming increasingly valuable as the regular season enters its final stretch. Montreal, meanwhile, continues to battle for consistency in a tightly packed Eastern Conference race.