TAMPA — “Embarrassing.” “Horrendous.” “A bad product.” Lightning coach Jon Cooper had some strong words to describe his team’s performance in Thursday night’s 6-3 loss to the Flames at Amalie Arena.
“We haven’t played since last Saturday,” Cooper said. “(Players) had time away from the rink, time together, a couple of practices. We couldn’t have laid it out more perfectly for them to come out and put a good showing for the fans, and they did the complete opposite.”
After four days between games, the Lightning (33-25-6) came out flat and could not catch up with the Flames (31-26-5), who were in sell mode on the eve of the NHL trade deadline. The Lightning, 1-4-1 over their last six home games, still are holding on to a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
