Lightning Seek Bounce-Back Against Senators After Injury to Holmberg

Tampa Bay looks to rebound on the second night of a back-to-back as Jon Cooper calls for accountability after a player was hurt by an open penalty box door.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 2:53pm

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A cubist, geometric painting capturing the intensity and movement of a hockey game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Ottawa Senators, with sharp, overlapping planes of color and form representing the players and action on the ice.A fractured, cubist depiction of the high-stakes matchup between the Lightning and Senators, as both teams fight for playoff positioning.Today in Tampa

The Tampa Bay Lightning are traveling to Ottawa to take on the Senators after suffering a loss to the Buffalo Sabres last night. The Lightning lost forward Pontus Holmberg to injury when he fell into an open penalty box door, prompting head coach Jon Cooper to demand accountability from the officials. The Lightning will be without several key players as they try to secure a playoff position in the tight Atlantic Division race.

Why it matters

This game is crucial for both teams as they jockey for playoff positioning. The Lightning need to bounce back after the loss and injury, while the Senators are fighting for a wild card spot. The outcome could have major implications on the Eastern Conference standings.

The details

The Lightning struggled against the Sabres last night, giving up four goals including an empty-netter. In addition to the loss, they lost forward Pontus Holmberg to injury when he fell into an open penalty box door. Head coach Jon Cooper was highly critical of the officials, saying the open door was a 'dangerous situation' and that the penalty box attendant 'should keep their job' after the incident. The Lightning will be without several key players, including Brandon Hagel, Victor Hedman, and Anthony Cirelli, as they try to secure a playoff spot.

  • The Lightning played the Sabres last night (April 6, 2026).
  • The Lightning are playing the Senators tonight (April 7, 2026).

The players

Jon Cooper

Head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Pontus Holmberg

Forward for the Tampa Bay Lightning who was injured after falling into an open penalty box door.

Brandon Hagel

Forward for the Tampa Bay Lightning who is currently day-to-day with an injury.

Victor Hedman

Defenseman for the Tampa Bay Lightning who is out for personal reasons.

Anthony Cirelli

Forward for the Tampa Bay Lightning who is currently day-to-day with an injury.

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What they’re saying

“I don't know who's working the penalty box over there, but I don't know if they should keep their job after what happened there, like, leaving the door open. That could have hurt anybody on either team. Those are just dangerous situations, so a little frustrated on my part.”

— Jon Cooper, Head Coach, Tampa Bay Lightning

What’s next

The Lightning will need to focus on securing a playoff spot in the tight Atlantic Division race, with every win crucial down the stretch. They will also need to ensure Pontus Holmberg's injury is not serious and get other key players like Hagel, Hedman, and Cirelli back in the lineup.

The takeaway

This game highlights the challenges the Lightning are facing as they try to maintain their position atop the Atlantic Division. The injury to Holmberg and criticism of the officials by Cooper underscore the high stakes and intensity of the playoff race, with both teams desperate for points.