TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The Tampa Bay Lightning won eight of their nine last games before the National Hockey League All-Star break.
On Monday, they returned to the ice after nine days of rest.
However, the tempo at practice was high, and head coach Jon Cooper and the entire team were all on the same page. The Bolts benefitted from the break both physically and mentally.
“Like any family, sometimes a break is good. You know, it was tough for us because we were on a bit of a roll, but for me, it doesn’t matter,” Cooper said.
“Mentally, just to kind of get away from the rink a little bit and spend some time with friends and family. We played 50 games in a pretty tight stretch there, so mentally, nice. Physically, we had some guys that were banged up, so it’s nice for them to get healthy, and we’re going to need everyone for the stretch here,” Tampa Bay Lightning forward and captain Steven Stamkos said.
“I hope he puts me in the lineup. At first, I thought it was kind of good for me to take a break mentally, but then I started getting mad because at some point it was not getting better,” Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Mikhail Sergachev said.
“We have a close-knit group here. We just have so much fun together. Everyone is excited to get back and get ready to start working once again, and I think it will be good for us to head out on the road right away and get together once again,” Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman added.
The Lightning travel to New York on Wednesday to face the Rangers.
It’s their first of four games away from Amalie Arena. Tampa Bay won’t be back home until Thursday, Feb. 15.
