Cooper's Tampa Bay Lightning had just lost the 2015 series in six games after their first trip to the final of what turned out to be three times in seven years. "There’s that excruciating minute or two you have to afford the team to celebrate," Cooper said. Washington became the first NHL team to party with the Cup in Las Vegas in 2018. The rare chance to do this is perhaps one reason Tampa Mayor Jane Castor asked the Lightning to lose Game 4 so they can win at home. "It’s weird: Maybe this is the way it was meant to be, and that’s how it’s going to play out," Cooper said.

Source: Fox News July 07, 2021 07:30 UTC