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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