For the fourth time in a row, the Tampa Bay Lightning have been eliminated in the first playoff round. Following their heartbreaking Game 7 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, head coach Jon Cooper shared some honest words about the defeat. Now, fans are praising him for taking the loss with class.
After three consecutive Stanley Cup Finals appearances in 2020, 2021, and 2022, the luck has turned for the Tampa Bay Lightning.
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Tampa Bay eliminated
In 2023, the Tampa Bay Lightning lost 4–2 to the Maple Leafs. In 2024 and 2025, they lost 4–1 to the Panthers. And on Sunday, they were once again eliminated in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The 2–1 loss came in Game 7 at home in Amalie Arena, in a game where the Montreal Canadiens managed just nine shots on goal. Superstar Nikita Kucherov, who registered 130 regular-season points, left his seventh Game 7 without a point. Heartbreaking, to say the least.
“Can’t say much about the game tonight. You’re going to win 99 percent of those games. But at the end of the day, if you lose three games at home, you’re probably not going to win the series,” Lightning forward Brandon Hagel said to reporters after the game.
Jon Cooper press conference
At the postgame press conference, Lightning head coach Jon Cooper reacted in a very composed manner to the heartbreaking loss:
“The hockey gods have been in my corner many, many times, and tonight they were in the other corner. And that’s what happens. This isn’t the movies; it’s not something we can retake and get the scene right. It’s live theater right there in front of you, and you never know what’s going to happen. That’s why it’s so unbelievable to be a part of. But it damn well stings when you’re on the wrong side of it,” Cooper said at the press conference.
Praised by fans
Now, fans are praising Jon Cooper for how he handled the loss.
“Nothing but class from this guy all the time,” one fan wrote on X.
“Always a healthy perspective, always classy. What he achieved this season with so many injuries was nothing short of incredible. Onward,” another one wrote.
“Coop as classy as it gets. Legend,” a third one chimed in.
You can watch the press conference below.
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