Thanks to some help from the Philadelphia Flyers, the Tampa Bay Lightning enter game 82 with nothing on the line, as they clinched home ice for round one of the NHL playoffs against the Canadiens. But tonight, the New York Rangers visit Benchmark International Arena to wrap up the regular season.
Tampa Bay is 1-1-0 against the Rangers this season with a 7-3 loss on the road on Nov. 12 and a 4-1 win at home on Nov. 29
Jon Cooper was asked if their was a potential to rest any starters if game 82 held no weight, and this was his response:
“Potentially, that might read something into it. But it’s not as much about what happens tonight. It’s what’s going to help our players be in the best position to succeed when Game 1 starts. So that’ll be the paramount in what decisions we make.”
– Jon Cooper
#GoBolts coach Jon Cooper on whether Hagel’s good for tomorrow’s game: “Potentially. We’ve got a whole bunch of guys that are going to be game-times (decisions), so we’ll see tomorrow.”
On whether tonight’s games could impact that:
“Potentially, that might read something into…
— Benjamin Pierce (@BenjaminJReport) April 14, 2026
So, with nothing on the line, health turns to the priority for game 82, the Lightning already received the good news that Max Crozier is returning to the 26-man roster, Brandon Hagel was a participant in the optional morning skate, and no matter who plays for the Bolts, the Rangers may want to lose anyway.
I asked Lightning head coach Jon Cooper tonight why Nikita Kucherov should be the Hart Trophy winner, here’s his response. 👀 #GoBolts
Perhaps a potential MVP moment tonight scoring the OT game-winner 💪 @BN9 @SpecSports360 pic.twitter.com/mDZonDaxLf
— Michael Epps (@MichaelEppsTV) April 14, 2026
Why Nikita Kucherov has been the NHL’s Most Valuable Player
Tampa’s playoff fate is set, but there is still one more home game to be played in front of the Tampa Bay Lightning fans. Don’t be surprised if some members of the Bolts don’t play as much as normal as the Bolts prepare to play the Habs in round one.