{"id":557502,"date":"2026-04-21T21:33:44","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T21:33:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/557502\/"},"modified":"2026-04-21T21:33:44","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T21:33:44","slug":"jon-cooper-adopts-martin-st-louis-strategy-ahead-of-game-2-vs-canadiens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/557502\/","title":{"rendered":"Jon Cooper adopts Martin St. Louis\u2019 strategy ahead of Game 2 vs Canadiens"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\nJon Cooper adopts Martin St. Louis\u2019 strategy ahead of Game 2 vs Canadiens
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Montreal Hockey Fanatics has no direct affiliation to the Montreal Canadiens, NHL or NHLPA<\/p>\n


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Photo credit: Screenshot<\/p>\n

Jon Cooper has just changed his strategy, and it closely mirrors what Martin St. Louis has done since the start of the series.<\/p>\n

The Tampa Bay Lightning head coach canceled this morning\u2019s mandatory skate at Benchmark International Arena ahead of Game 2 tonight against the Montreal Canadiens.<\/p>\n

He instead called for an optional session.<\/p>\n

Before Game 1, Cooper had held a mandatory skate.<\/p>\n

St. Louis, meanwhile, had prioritized rest.<\/p>\n

We know what happened next.<\/p>\n

The Montreal Canadiens won 4-3 in overtime.<\/p>\n

And now, Cooper is changing his approach.<\/p>\n

Lightning mirror Canadiens\u2019 rest strategy as Cooper shifts approach before Game 2<\/p>\n

Is the Tampa Bay Lightning adjusting to the Montreal Canadiens\u2019 rhythm instead of imposing its own?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the kind of small detail that says a lot about a team\u2019s mindset after a home loss.<\/p>\n

Journalists Benjamin Pierce and Eduardo A. Encina were on site for the Lightning\u2019s optional skate this morning:<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also worth noting that Jon Cooper announced two lineup changes earlier today for tonight’s game, inserting Scott Sabourin and Declan Carlile.<\/p>\n

Tonight’s game will reveal whether this adjustment is a calculated response\u2014or a sign the Lightning are already chasing the Canadiens\u2019 pace.<\/p>\n

Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics<\/p>\n

POLL<\/p>\n

26 MINUTES AGO|17 ANSWERS<\/p>\n

Jon Cooper adopts Martin St. Louis\u2019 strategy ahead of Game 2 vs Canadiens<\/p>\n

Is Jon Cooper right to adopt Martin St. Louis\u2019 rest strategy?<\/p>\n

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