Lightning Coach Jon Cooper's Post-Game Comments About the Leafs Not Sitting Well With Fans
Photo credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports
Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper did his best to discredit the Maple Leafs following his club's overtime loss as they jockey for playoff positioning.
The Leafs jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead over the Lightning on Wednesday night before ultimately winning in overtime on the heels of a Matthew Knies hat-trick.
Following the game, Lightning coach Cooper was quick to dismiss the Leafs' efforts, placing the blame on his players instead.
"They bent. They didn't break. We had 90-some-odd shot attempts tonight, but it is a little unheard of that we only had 28 shots on goal. It is a lot on us. We missed the net 26 times. That is a lot. We had 36 blocked. I know they block shots, but they don't block 36 of them. We were probably a little guilty of not executing on some of the things we could've. In that sense, if we are going to keep playing the way we did after the slow start, I will take our chances."
It shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that Cooper tried to discredit the Leafs' ability to find a way to win a game in which they coughed up another 2-goal lead. It is something that he has done each time the two squads have faced off in the post-season in recent years.
While most of his press conference saw him placing the blame on his players, he did credit the Leafs with sweeping the Lightning in the season series.
"If they win the division, they deserve to beat us because they swept us this year. In the end, that is what it is going to come down to."
With four games remaining, the Leafs have opened up a 3-point lead over the Bolts for top spot in the Atlantic and control their own fate. As many in Leafs Nation are hoping to avoid playing Florida or Tampa in the first round, the Leafs will need to secure at least one more victory to ensure that will happen. But, with Tampa having a much easier schedule over the remaining week, it could come down to the final games of the season.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 10 | 2536 ANSWERS Lightning Coach Jon Cooper's Post-Game Comments About the Leafs Not Sitting Well With Fans Are you getting tired of Jon Cooper's media tactics? | ||
| Yes | 1478 | 58.3 % |
| No | 582 | 22.9 % |
| If it works, keep doing it | 476 | 18.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
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