Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper is in Montreal, preparing his team for Game 3 of their first-round Stanley Cup playoff series against the Canadiens tonight. The series is currently tied at 1-1 after two overtime games in Tampa. Cooper has expressed his fondness for Montreal's Bell Centre, calling it his favorite arena to coach in, while acknowledging the intense atmosphere and its potential impact on the game.
Following a Game 1 loss where the Lightning took four offensive zone penalties, Cooper didn't hold back his criticism. He described the penalties as "stupidity," emphasizing the need for greater discipline as the series progresses. The Canadiens capitalized on those penalties, going 3-for-5 on the power play in the 4-3 overtime victory. In Game 2, the Lightning rebounded with a 3-2 overtime win, fueled by a dominant overtime performance where they outshot Montreal 9-0.
With the series shifting to Montreal, Cooper is also dealing with roster adjustments. Goaltender Brandon Halverson was reassigned to the AHL's Syracuse Crunch, while first-year pro Harrison Meneghin was recalled to the NHL roster. Captain Victor Hedman's status remains uncertain, with Cooper deeming him "doubtful" for the first round. Despite the challenges, Cooper praised his team's resilience throughout the season, as the Lightning clinched a playoff berth for the ninth consecutive year.
Cooper, the longest-tenured coach in the NHL, is also backing a new restaurant called The Black Palm in Tampa's Seminole Heights neighborhood, showcasing his connection to the Tampa Bay community beyond the ice.
