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. <\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
Jon Cooper was asked if their was a potential to rest any starters if game 82 held no weight, and this was his response:<\/p>\n
\u201cPotentially, that might read something into it. But it\u2019s not as much about what happens tonight. It\u2019s what\u2019s going to help our players be in the best position to succeed when Game 1 starts. So that\u2019ll be the paramount in what decisions we make.\u201d<\/p>\n
–\u00a0Jon Cooper<\/p>\n
#GoBolts<\/a> coach Jon Cooper on whether Hagel\u2019s good for tomorrow\u2019s game: \u201cPotentially. We\u2019ve got a whole bunch of guys that are going to be game-times (decisions), so we\u2019ll see tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n On whether tonight\u2019s games could impact that: <\/p>\n \u201cPotentially, that might read something into\u2026<\/p>\n \u2014 Benjamin Pierce (@BenjaminJReport) April 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n I asked Lightning head coach Jon Cooper tonight why Nikita Kucherov should be the Hart Trophy winner, here’s his response. \ud83d\udc40 #GoBolts<\/a><\/p>\n Perhaps a potential MVP moment tonight scoring the OT game-winner \ud83d\udcaa @BN9<\/a> @SpecSports360<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/mDZonDaxLf<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Michael Epps (@MichaelEppsTV) April 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n