Cooper Praises Lightning Emotion and Five-on-Five Play Despite Loss

The slumping Tampa Bay Lightning continued their downward trajectory on Sunday with one of the craziest outings in the National Hockey League this season, as they dropped an 8–7 decision at Buffalo.

However, unlike the Lightning fanbase, veteran Tampa Bay Coach Jon Cooper and forward Brandon Hagel were taking everything in stride following the penalty-filled contest that featured 15 total goals, multiple fights, and a playoff-like atmosphere.

“It was probably entertaining for the fans,” Cooper said.

Buffalo outshot Tampa Bay 42–28 and capitalized on the Lightning’s undisciplined play, scoring four goals on seven power-play opportunities. The Sabres also added a short-handed goal, meaning five of their eight goals came on special teams.

The loss continued a difficult stretch for Tampa Bay, which has now lost five of its last seven games since the break for the Winter Olympics. Two of those defeats have come against Buffalo, which has scored 14 total goals in the two victories over the Lightning.

Cooper said the game was an entertaining but frustrating one for his club.

“Two pretty good teams out there,” he said. “It was a one-goal game. There were a lot of aspects of the game that fans like — some emotion, some bad blood. I’d rather have that than a lack of emotion.”

Still, Cooper said the difference came down to special teams.

“The bottom line is we gave up five special-teams goals — four power-play goals and a short-handed goal,” he said. “That was the game. We have to shore that up.”

Ironically, the Lightning successfully killed a difficult two-minute five-on-three disadvantage but struggled on standard power plays.

At even strength, Cooper felt his team controlled much of the game.

“I liked our game five-on-five,” he said. “But when they go four-for-seven on the power play, and we only get two chances, the percentages don’t add up.”

Hagel described the night as feeling like a postseason matchup.

“I think it was a playoff game,” Hagel said. “Obviously, there are things we can tidy up, but I think we got better as a team today in some different aspects.”

The victory pushed Buffalo to the top of the Atlantic Division standings at 39-19-6 (84 points), just ahead of Tampa Bay at 39-19-4 (82 points). The Lightning’s only two wins during the recent slump have come against the last-place Toronto Maple Leafs.

Even after allowing eight goals, Hagel said he remains confident in the team inside Tampa Bay’s locker room.

“This is the type of team I want in this dressing room,” he said. “Eight goals against is something we can clean up, but we know we have a good team here.”

Tampa Bay returns to Benchmark International Arena tonight against another team that often gives the Lightning problems, Columbus (32-21-10, 74 points). The puck drops at 7 p.m.

The Blue Jackets are two games out of the second wild-card playoff spot, as they trail Boston (35-22-6, 76 points).