Bolts' Cooper: Got to do what we do best
TAMPA (FOX 13) - It's a dilemma the Tampa Bay Lightning have yet to face this postseason. The Bolts trailed the Bruins after Game 1 in the previous round, but that's it. Now, they're down 2 to 0 to the Washington Capitals in the Eastern Conference Final, after playing dominant hockey through the first 10 games of their playoff run.
"It happens," Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said. "Nobody plays the perfect game. Nobody goes 82-0. Nobody goes 16-0 in the playoffs. It's just heightened when you're at this time of year and at this time. Is it discouraging that this has happened to us right now? There's no question. But, come on boys, let's regroup and do what we do best and what we've done to get us here, and we'll be OK."
The Lightning will need a comeback reminiscent of their one against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the conference quarterfinals in 2011. They trailed 3 to 1 heading into Game 5, and would go on to win five straight games to take the series.
After another deflating loss to the Capitals, some Lightning players said they have strayed from the type of hockey they play best.
"Yeah, I'm not sure why we haven't played the 200-foot game, you know simple, get pucks deep and do what we've been doing," said defenseman Dan Girardi. "But that's something we need to definitely figure out why."
In a series already full of momentum swings, maybe the shift to the nation's capital is what the Lightning need. Games 3 and 4 will both be played in D.C. Players are calling this the biggest game of the season.
"You know, go down 3-0 or cut the lead in half," said defenseman Victor Hedman. "We're in this position now and [there's] nothing we can change. All we can do is focus on tomorrow."
History isn't on their side, though. In the conference era, teams with a 2-0 lead in the conference final own an all-time series record of 39-2.
"You know, it's not necessarily a must-win, but it's definitely a huge game for sure," offered center Brayden Point.
Slashing the Caps lead in half sounds a lot better than having to dig themselves out of a 3-0 hole after Tuesday night.
Schedule for Eastern Conference Final:
Game 3: Tuesday May 15, 8 p.m., Washington
Game 4: Thursday May 17, 8 p.m. Washington
Game 5 (if necessary): Saturday May 19, 7:15 p.m., Tampa
Game 6 (if necessary): Monday May 21, 8 p.m., Washington
Game 7 (if necessary): Wednesday May 23, 8 p.m., Tampa