'I don't know if they should keep their job': Cooper on penalty box attendant after Holmberg injury

The injury in question occurred with less than eight minutes left in the Lightning’s 4-2 loss to the Sabres on Monday. Holmberg was hit by Peyton Krebs into the boards in front of the home team penalty box, and while it at first seemed like an ordinary hit, Holmberg was slow to get up, holding his right shoulder while lying on the ice and getting to the bench under his own strength. 

However, a closer look at the hit showed that the penalty box door opens upon impact, and Holmberg’s shoulder slams into the part of the boards that the door connects to when closed.

At this point in time, there isn’t a specific update on Holmberg or his timeline for return. However, when asked how he was doing, Cooper said Holmberg was “not good” and wasn’t optimistic about his status moving forward.

Holmberg has had a good season for the Lightning, setting career highs with 11 goals and 22 points in 70 games, while also providing elite defense with a -0.223 5v5 regularized adjusted plus-minus expected goals against per 60 minutes, which ranks seventh among forwards.

This all comes in a crucial game for the Lightning. While they have a playoff spot clinched, their matchup against the Sabres was important in the race for the Atlantic Division, as both teams are now tied in points at 102. However, Tampa Bay still has one game in hand in this race.