The Tampa Bay Lightning, the Montreal Canadiens’ closest rival, are lucky enough to have a few days off due to a snow storm in Buffalo. The break was also very well received by the Florida team.

The game against the Sabers, originally scheduled for Friday, was postponed due to difficult weather conditions. With the obligatory three days off, the club will therefore be well rested against Martin St-Louis’ team on Wednesday.

“I think any time there’s a time-out in this league, the players will take it easy,” coach Jon Cooper told the Tampa Bay Times. We had two difficult games before the holidays. Still, we’ve got a record of 20-11-1 since the start of the season, so not a disaster, that’s how you go into the break, but it’s the right time to start the engine again.

Cooper’s team won the final game against CH in Montreal on December 17, 5-1, before losing to the Toronto Maple Leafs (4-1) and Detroit Red Wings (7-4).

“I see it as a bit of a gift,” said veteran Pierre-Édouard Bellemare. We have [eu] two extra days over the Christmas period with our family when we shouldn’t normally have them. I love hockey but I also have two extra days of Christmas with my kids and wife. So I’m not complaining.”

regain strength

Players will want to use this time to recover physically.

“The boys are warriors,” said forward Ross Colton. They want to block all shots and play for each other. I like to see that. So that’s the identity of our team and I think building on that will be good for us.”

The Lightning players return to Tampa for practice Tuesday for games against the Canadiens on Wednesday and the New York Rangers on Thursday at the Amalie Arena.