Update on Jon Cooper after leaving the Lightning

Following a brief but emotional absence from the team, the longest-tenured coach in the NHL is finally back where he belongs.

Cooper, who led Team Canada to a silver medal in Milan just days ago, did not return to the bench immediately upon landing in North America.

The tragic passing of his father, kept him away from the team for the last two games as he traveled to British Columbia to be with his family.

While he was away, assistant Rob Zettler took the reins. The Bolts showed incredible resilience for their leader, securing a 4-2 win against the Leafs before dropping a tight 5-4 contest to the Hurricanes.

Now, an update has been released on X.

The Lightning confirmed today that Cooper will be back behind the bench tonight for the home matchup against the Buffalo Sabres.

The Lightning currently sit atop the Atlantic Division with an impressive 38-15-4 record.

Tonight's return will be a poignant moment for Lightning fans. Cooper has been the face of this franchise since 2013, and seeing him back in the fold is the best news the locker room could receive ahead of the stretch run.

The Bolts hold an 80-point total, keeping them six points clear of both the Buffalo Sabres and Red Wings. With the trade deadline less than a week away, having Cooper's tactical mind back in the building is vital as the team looks to cement its status as a Cup favorite.