Lightning 1 – Panthers 6 | The Lightning at the crossroads

“Are we witnessing the passing of the hockey torch in Florida? » The wise words of ESPN announcer Steve Levy, spoken in the third period on Monday, indeed prepare the ground for the portrait of an Atlantic division that could change in the coming months.

It was during this third period that the Florida Panthers finished off the Tampa Bay Lightning. Its 2023-2024 version, but also – who knows? – perhaps part of its golden age. The Panthers eliminated the Lightning in a 6-1 victory to clinch the first-round series between the two Florida rivals in five games.

This is a second early end to the season in a row in Tampa. Many hockey fans around here would welcome that, an “early” end in April rather than January, but the Lightning have accustomed us to a certain standard. Since the relaunch under Jon Cooper, initiated by the return to the playoffs in 2014, the results of the Éclairs read as follows:

• Two Stanley Cup conquests (2020, 2021)
• Two defeats in the final (2015, 2022)
• Two defeats in the Eastern final (2016, 2018)
• Three defeats at 1^er tour (2019, 2023, 2024)
• An exclusion (2017)

The smartest will add that the Lightning loses a third series in a row, if we calculate the lost final of 2022. But it is above all by looking at the decisions awaiting Julien BriseBois that there is reason to wonder if this team is not will not initiate a certain transition.

Steven Stamkos

He has just scored five goals in five duels. In this fifth game, he distributed nine hits, caused a penalty and brought the Lightning back to life at the end of the first period, after a goal had been denied to the visitors.

Steven Stamkos is the captain of the Lightning and he delivered a performance worthy of his title, despite the defeat. He finished showing his leadership by showing up as the very first player for the handshake. His rivals paid him their respect.

But Stamkos also becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer. The last time this chance presented itself to him, he had maintained the suspense until June 29, that is to say 48 hours before becoming free as air. Except that at the time, he was 26 years old. Here he is now at 34 years old. He has just had his seventh 40-goal season in the NHL, but his next contract will, in all likelihood, be marked by decline.

BriseBois will play big in this matter, because beyond the goals and points, he will above all have to quantify the cost of the heart and soul of his team.

Jon Cooper

He also put his mark on this match, making a daring challenge to a goal denied to the Lightning. Bold, because the coaches often say: the NHL rules on goalie obstruction are one of those mysteries of life. The person who finally sees this clearly will essentially be able to found their own religion. Cooper lost his bet, but Tampa’s loss had nothing to do with that decision.

Regardless, it’s less talked about, but Cooper will enter next season in the final year of his contract. His destiny has always been linked to BriseBois. It was BriseBois who pulled Cooper out of the USHL to bring him to the American League, at the head of the Lightning farm club. Cooper has now been stationed in Tampa for 11 years.

However, on this day when the dismissal of Dave Hakstol in Seattle caused Martin St-Louis to climb to 7^e rank (!) of the longest-serving coaches with their current team, there is reason to wonder what will happen in the Cooper file. A new contract will mean he could well be approaching 15 years at the helm of the team.

BriseBois’ loyalty to Cooper was never in doubt. But the two men will have to question themselves about the dangers of the erosion of power.

While we are talking about personnel, we will also have to monitor what will happen to Mathieu Darche, BriseBois’ right-hand man. He has already gone through several interview processes to become CEO and like every spring, positions will become vacant. We already know that there will be one in his former lands, in Columbus.

Andrei Vasilevsky

Let’s get things straight right away; Vasilevskiy still has a bright future in Tampa. He will celebrate his 30th birthday this summer and is still seen by his peers as the benchmark for his position. And his contract is valid until 2028.

That said, Vasilevskiy did not deliver his greatest performance in this fifth game. Generous on his returns, shaky at the start of the match, he didn’t look like a guy who has a Vezina Trophy and a Conn-Smythe in his basement.

Vasilevskiy is a phenomenon of nature and the Lightning have used him as such in recent years. But has the time come to find him an assistant capable of taking more? The Russian began his season on the operating table due to a back problem. Since his return to play on November 24, he has been the busiest goalie in the NHL by far: 52 starts, ahead of Juuse Saros (49) and far ahead of his rival in this series, Sergei Bobrovsky (43). .

Nikita Kucherov

Like Vasilevskiy, he too still has a lot to give. His contract is valid for three more years and an Art-Ross trophy awaits him in June, by virtue of his 144 points. If it were up to Cooper, he’d add the Hart Trophy to his collection too; the head coach delivered a vibrant plea in his favor during his visit to Montreal.

But as in the final in 2022, the Russian ended his season by having the equivalent of a bacon crisis. Meanwhile, the franchise player on the other side, Aleksander Barkov, delivered an epic three-point performance, a +4 differential, 79% success on faceoffs, all with his usual aplomb.

If the Lightning want to quickly get out of their current slump, Kucherov’s contribution will be crucial. It is still necessary that his energy be well channeled. A great project for Cooper or the person who will manage it.