Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper made a bold statement following his team’s 7-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 2 of their playoff series. Responding to a question about the Maple Leafs’ lineup changes and improved center depth, Cooper confidently backed his own squad.
“Give me Point, Cirelli, and Paul all day. Against anybody in the league,” Cooper declared, emphasizing his belief in the strength of his team’s core players.
In Game 1, the Maple Leafs lost 7-3, with veteran forward and Stanley Cup winner Ryan O’Reilly playing in their top 6. In an attempt to balance their lineup and create more depth in scoring, Toronto moved O’Reilly back to the center position for Game 2, placing him on the third line. This strategy proved effective, as the team experienced an overall boost, resulting in a 7-2 victory. O’Reilly contributed an assist and six shots on goal during the night.
While the Lightning are without star defenseman Hedman and Cernak which certainly had an impact on the game, the line up change certainly changed the dynamic of the Leafs and helped them in game 2.
With the series now tied at 1-1, Jon Cooper’s unwavering support for his players demonstrates the confidence he has in the Lightning’s ability to bounce back.
