Tampa Bay Lightning begin post break stretch without Jon Cooper after family loss
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Bruce Raymond
Feb 25, 2026 (3:15 PM)
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Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Jon Cooper's leave of absence lands fast on the Tampa Bay Lightning, missing two post Olympic break games while he mourns his father.
The Lightning confirmed Cooper will not be behind the bench for Wednesday's home game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
He will also miss Thursday's road game at the Carolina Hurricanes.
Cooper is away after the passing of his father, Robert, earlier this week.
Assistant coach Rob Zettler takes over as acting head coach during the two-game stretch.
This is a gut-punch moment, right as Tampa Bay tries to flip the switch back on after the Olympic break.
Cooper just finished coaching Team Canada to a silver medal at Milano Cortina 2026, then had to turn around and handle real life.
Inside the room, the message is simple, play for the guy who usually drives every detail.
Tampa Bay's timing is brutal because this team was flying before the pause.
The Lightning went 19-1-1 in their final 21 games before the break and sit 37-14-4, first in the Atlantic Division.
That kind of run doesn't happen by accident, it comes from structure, pace, and a bench that stays locked in.
Without Cooper, the bench voice changes, especially on matchups, timeout choices, and the feel of the man advantage.
Jon Cooper absence tests Tampa Bay Lightning focus
Lightning fans will feel this one, because «Coop» is the heartbeat of the whole thing, and nobody wants this to be a stumble.
Against Toronto, Tampa's top-six has to play direct and make the first five minutes simple.
Thursday in Carolina, the blue line needs clean exits, because that building punishes turnovers.
The good news is the return window is clear, the expectation is Cooper is back Saturday when the Lightning host the Buffalo Sabres.
Two games, heavy emotions, and a chance for the group to show what its identity really is.
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