Jon Cooper (© Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images)Game 4 was an incredibly frustrating one for the Tampa Bay Lightning. After being up 2-1, the Lightning allowed three unanswered goals to the Florida Panthers in the third period and lost by a 4-2 final score. With this, the Lightning are now down 3-1 in the series and need to win their next three games to advance to the second round. If they are unsuccessful in doing so, it will mark the end of their season.
This game also featured another dirty hit, as Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad threw his forearm into Lightning star Brandon Hagel's head. Ekblad did not receive a penalty on the play and even scored the game-tying goal in the third. Hagel, on the other hand, left the contest following it.
Following the game, Lightning head coach Jon Cooper made it abundantly clear that he is sick of talking about hits like Ekblad's.
“It’s getting tiresome answering questions about a hit after every single game,” Cooper said. “I’ll ask you. You asked me the question, why are you asking me the question? Do you have anything to say about it? If anybody in here has something, stand up and let me know. Alright, let’s move on."
It is easy to understand why Cooper is frustrated right now. This was just the latest controversial hit of this series. Hagel notably received a one-game suspension for hit his in Game 2 on Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov. In Game 3, Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk received a major penalty for his late hit on Jake Guentzel but did not receive a suspension or any other discipline from NHL Player Safety.
It is clear that these two teams just don't like each other, and it would not be surprising in the slightest if we continue to see more physical play from them in Game 5.
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