Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

Jon Cooper In The Spotlight Tonight

05/12/2015 at 8:23am EDT

from Tom Jones of the Tampa Bay Times,

This is Jon Cooper's time.

He was hired a little more than two years ago for moments exactly like tonight.

Now we get to find out what the Lightning coach is made of. We get to see if the hottest young coach in hockey can live up to that reputation. Now we'll see if he can summon up his motivational and tactical skills to help the Lightning snap its two-game losing streak and once and for all close out this series against the just-won't-die Canadiens.

Now we will see if Cooper can coach when coaching matters most.

Do-or-die game for the Lightning? Sure seems so. It's hard to see the Lightning going back to Montreal and winning Game 7. That means Cooper better figure out a way for the Lightning to win tonight.

Not play hard. Not be close. Not give it its all.

Win.

Normally, it's all about the players. They are the ones out on the ice who decide outcomes, and certainly the Lightning could use a couple of goals from Stamkos, maybe a helper or two from Hedman and a bunch of big-time saves from Bishop.

But a Lightning team that played with swagger all season long is suddenly facing a crisis of confidence after losing two in a row.

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About Kukla's Korner Hockey

Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.

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