NHL to Investigate Penalty Box Door After Lightning Player Injury

Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper questions whether the penalty box operator should be fired over the incident.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 4:34am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the moment a hockey player crashes into an unlatched penalty box door, his body fractured and distorted across the canvas in a chaotic, multi-angled composition.The NHL investigates a dangerous penalty box incident that left a player injured, exposing the need for improved safety protocols in the sport.Buffalo Today

The NHL is looking into the circumstances that led to Tampa Bay Lightning forward Pontus Holmberg injuring his left arm when he crashed shoulder-first into an unlatched penalty box door during Monday night's game against the Buffalo Sabres. Lightning coach Jon Cooper criticized the penalty box operator, saying they should potentially lose their job over the dangerous situation.

Why it matters

Injuries to players are a major concern for the NHL, and this incident raises questions about the safety of penalty box operations and whether more oversight is needed to prevent similar accidents in the future. The game was also chippy, with both teams receiving multiple penalties, leading to frustration from the coaches about the officiating.

The details

Holmberg was injured following a clean open-ice check from Buffalo's Peyton Krebs. Holmberg lost his balance and fell awkwardly into the penalty box door, which pushed open upon impact before the penalty box official slammed it shut. Holmberg did not return to the game and was later seen with his left arm in a sling. Lightning coach Jon Cooper questioned whether the penalty box operator should be fired over the incident, calling it a "dangerous situation" that "could have hurt anybody on either team." The game featured a high number of penalties called against both teams, which Cooper felt disrupted the flow of the game.

  • The incident occurred in the third period of Monday night's game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Buffalo Sabres.
  • Pontus Holmberg's penalty expired with 7:20 left in the period, and play stopped with 7:16 on the clock with Holmberg lying in pain on the ice.

The players

Pontus Holmberg

A forward for the Tampa Bay Lightning who was injured when he crashed into an unlatched penalty box door.

Jon Cooper

The head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning who criticized the penalty box operator and questioned whether they should keep their job.

Peyton Krebs

A player for the Buffalo Sabres who delivered the clean open-ice check that led to Holmberg's injury.

Zach Benson

A Buffalo Sabres player whose roughing minor penalty was expiring when the penalty box door incident occurred.

Brandon Hagel

A forward for the Tampa Bay Lightning who said the penalty box operator "should be fired" after hearing about the incident.

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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.”

— Jon Cooper, Head Coach, Tampa Bay Lightning

“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

“Should be fired.”

— Brandon Hagel

What’s next

The NHL has stated it will look into the circumstances surrounding the unlatched penalty box door incident to determine if any changes or disciplinary actions are necessary to prevent similar accidents in the future.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for increased safety measures and oversight in penalty box operations to protect players from potential injuries. It also raises questions about the officiating in the game, which both coaches felt disrupted the flow and enjoyment of the contest.