Lightning Strikes (Cristodero)

No one was quite sure which direction Lightning coach Jon Cooper would go with his goaltending Saturday against the Islanders, the first game of a back-to-back that includes Sunday against the Capitals.

With Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury sustained in the first period of Thursday's 5-0 victory over the Hurricanes, Matt Taormina was called up from AHL Syracuse. He will join the team for Saturday's game with the Islanders at Nassau Coliseum.

Goaltender Ben Bishop talks to reporters after his 45-save, 5-0 shutout of the Hurricanes in his Lightning debut.

It didn't take Ben Bishop long to get thrown into the fire. One day after being acquired from the Senators for Cory Conacher and a fourth-round draft pick, Bishop gets the start in net tonight against the Hurricanes at PNC Arena.

Want to talk about the Lightning trading rookie of the year candidate Cory Conacher to Ottawa for goalie Ben Bishop? The Rays' walkoff win over the Orioles? The upcoming NFL draft? Whatever's on your mind, join Times sports columnist Tom Jones for a live chat today, from noon to 1 p.m.

The Lightning pulled off a bold move an hour before Wednesday's trade deadline by acquiring goaltender Ben Bishop from the Senators for rookie left wing Cory Conacher and a fourth-round draft pick.

While we wait to see if the Lightning can perhaps grab a goalie before today's 3 p.m. trade deadline, let's talk about a goalie who might figure into the team's future. Prospect Jaroslav Janus said Wednesday he has no idea where the story came from that he will stay in the KHL next season with HC Slovan Bratislava in Slovakia.

Lightning coach Jon Cooper talks about the 3-2 shootout loss to the Panthers.

Here is the announcement from the team: The Tampa Bay Lightning have acquired left wing Philippe Paradis (pair-ah-DEE) from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for defenseman Kirill Gotovets today, vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman announced. He will be assigned to the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL.

Lightning forward B.J. Crombeen said the two-year contract extension he signed came together fairly quickly.

The Lightning made an interesting move, re-acquiring forward Adam Hall and a seventh-round draft pick from the Hurricanes for defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron. Tampa Bay immediately put Hall on waivers, and general manager Steve Yzerman said if Hall clears he will be assigned to AHL Syracuse.

Right wing B.J. Crombeen has agreed to a two-year extension with the Lightning. Crombeen, 27, acquired in July from the Blues, has a goal and seven assists in 30 games, while providing grit and willingness to fight. Right wing B.J. Crombeen has agreed to a two-year extension with the Lightning.

Jon Cooper said he finally got to exhale Easter Sunday, with the team’s off-day giving him a chance to reflect on his whirlwind first week as Lightning coach.

The Lightning announced Monday it has signed Western Michigan D Luke Witkowski to a two-year deal.

Lightning center Nate Thompson has been suspended for two games, without pay, for an illegal check to the head on Devils forward Matt D'Agostini during Friday night's 5-4 shootout win.

Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper talks about his unforgettable NHL coaching debut, a 5-4 shootout win over the Devils Friday night at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

 

It may have been just opening-act bluster, but new Lightning coach Jon Cooper, in his first meeting with the Tampa Bay area media, had a message for his players and the fans:

Lightning assistant coach Wayne Fleming, who had been battling brain cancer since April 2011, died Monday. He was 62. Fleming had been living at his Calgary home with wife Carolyn.

There was plenty of excitement around the Lightning locker room Tuesday at the hiring of Jon Cooper as the new coach, but especially among the players he had in the minors.

The Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday hired Jon Cooper as its eighth coach.