While the Tampa Bay Lightning’s defense is still, in the words of their goaltender, “Syracuse-ish” it appears that the forwards are getting healthier. Brayden Point’s status might still be in doubt, but based on Tuesday’s practice, it appears that another center could be ready to return to the line-up. Pontus Holmberg, who has been out of the line-up since early line-up was taking a regular shift.

He was also part of the unofficial sign of return as he led the team stretch at practice, a role that Anthony Nick Paul played last week prior to his return to action. While Holmberg’s return isn’t going to have the same impact as Brayden Point, the team’s free-agent signing will give them more depth in the bottom-six. According to eyewitnesses at practice, that’s exactly where he was on Tuesday:

#GoBolts  lines today:

Hagel-Cirelli-Kucherov
Guentzel-Paul-James
Girgensons-Gourde-Holmberg
Goncalves-Finley-Bjorkstrand
Douglas

Raddysh-Moser
D’Astous-Lilleberg
Carlile-Santini
Groshev

Vasilevskiy
Johansson
Konin

— Benjamin Pierce (@boltsben.bsky.social) November 25, 2025 at 11:31 AM

It makes sense that Holmberg would skate on a line with Yanni Gourde and Zemgus Girgensons. Prior to the deluge of injuries that swept through the team, the trio had been one of the teams better defensive units. In almost 81 minutes of 5v5 the Lightning posted a 2.04 xGA/60, one of the best numbers of the team while limiting opponents to just 21.33 SA/60.

Offensively, Holmberg has contributed 1 goal and 4 assists in his 15 games, all at 5v5. His scoring rates are pretty much in line with what he’s done in his career, and while not overwhelming, aren’t horrible for a player who has been averaging about 12 minutes of ice time a night, almost all of it at even strength.

His return will likely cut into the playing time of Curtis Douglas and Jack Finley as the Lightning edge closer to having to make a decision on their forwards. As the regulars return to action, things are getting a little crowded. It’s unlikely they make a move until Point is cleared to play, but at some point, Douglas, Finley, or another (maybe Gage Goncalves) will have to be put on waivers and (hopefully) assigned to Syracuse.

In regards to the rest of the Battered Bolts Brigade, Point is considered day-to-day. The rest are probably going to be out a bit longer. Victor Hedman is on LTIR and probably won’t be back until December. Ryan McDonagh and Erik Cernak are considered week-to-week while Max Crozier is dealing with a lower-body injury. He has been on injured reserve (again) for more than seven days, so if he would be eligible to return if he’s healthy. The fact that he wasn’t on the ice at practice on Tuesday would be an indication that he isn’t quite ready to go just yet.