The final domino from the Tampa Bay Lightning’s preseason fracas with the Florida Panthers has fallen.

Coach Jon Cooper and the Lightning themselves were both issued big fines for the events of Saturday’s preseason bonanza, as reported by NHL insider Frank Seravalli. In total, 16 players were ejected and 312 penalty minutes were dished out following hits largely coming from Tampa Bay.

Cooper was fined $25,000 and the Lightning were fined $100,000 for “their actions culminating in the events their actions culminating in the events of Preseason Game No. 99 against the Florida Panthers,” per the NHL’s Department of Player Safety.

The Lightning lost to the Panthers in the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. It was a heated series involving multiple controversial hits and s

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