Tampa Bay Lightning Coach Absence
In a sorrowful development for the Tampa Bay Lightning, head coach Jon Cooper will be absent from the next two games following the passing of his father, Robert. Assistant coach Rob Zettler stepped up as the acting head coach for the team’s recent match against the Toronto Maple Leafs, and he is set to take on the same role again during Thursday night’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Cooper’s Achievements
Cooper, who has guided the Lightning to Stanley Cup victories in both 2020 and 2021, also recently led Team Canada to a silver medal at the Milan Cortina Olympics, where they were narrowly defeated by the United States in the gold medal game, with a final score of 2-1 in overtime.
Support from Zettler
Zettler expressed his support for Cooper, stating, “Thoughts and prayers, as always, to Coop and his family. It is important for him to focus on what he needs to take care of back home.”
Zettler provided insight into Cooper’s departure, noting that he left to return to Vancouver early Wednesday morning. He expressed confidence in the team’s ability to perform despite their head coach’s absence, referencing their strong performance throughout the season.
Lightning’s Season Performance
As the Lightning faced the Maple Leafs, the NHL resumed its season following a break for the Olympic Games in Milan. At that point, Tampa Bay held a commanding six-point lead in the Atlantic Division, accumulating 78 points which tied them with the Hurricanes for the highest in the Eastern Conference. The Lightning had an impressive record of 19 wins, 1 loss, and 1 overtime loss in their last 21 games leading up to the break.
