Lightning vs. Maple Leafs: Who has the Advantage?

Coaching

Advantage: Tampa Bay

Some have questioned if Jon Cooper has lost touch with his team. I can tell you that there is not another coach in the NHL who knows his team better than Cooper knows his. He knows when to push every button and will always be extremely calculated with every word he says.

This is far from the first dance for Cooper in the playoffs, in fact it iss his ninth time in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. One thing you know you will get with Cooper is a masterclass in the matchup game. Even as the road team in this series, Cooper will not let another team win the matchup battles as he can line match with the best of all time.

As for Toronto’s Sheldon Keefe, he does not quite have the experience Cooper has. He is still trying to get out of the first round for the first time as well. His job is counting on it. If Toronto does not get out of the first round, Keefe will likely be on the way out as will their whole management group.