Just three days ahead of their home season opener against the Ottawa Senators , the Tampa Bay Lightning found themselves dealing with serious disciplinary measures from the NHL . The league slapped fines on both the team and its head coach, plus suspensions and extra fines for players due to a wild preseason game. This all followed a 7-0 defeat to the Florida Panthers on Saturday, which was highlighted by an unusual number of penalties and ejections.
Why the Tampa Bay Lightning were punishedThe NHL took action against the Tampa Bay Lightning for their improper conduct shown during the heavy loss. The league's measures aimed at the team's general participation in the game's turmoil, as well as specific rule-breaking by individual players.
The team got hit with a $100,000 fine, and head coach Jon Cooper was fined $25,000 right after the game. This was all about the team's behavior that resulted in those hefty penalties and ejections.
Scott Sabourin is suspended for four games, while J.J. Moser will sit out for two games due to their actions during the game, but the league didn't go into specifics about what they did wrong.
NHL announces layered punishments stretching from Saturday’s game through SundayThe NHL announced its disciplinary decisions in phases, kicking off right after the Saturday game and carrying on into Sunday.
The Tampa Bay Lightning were fined $100,000, and their head coach Jon Cooper faced a personal fine of $25,000. These penalties were handed out because of the way the game was conducted.
Scott Sabourin and defenseman J.J. Moser was suspended for two games. These suspensions stemmed from their actions in the 7-0 loss to the Panthers.
On Sunday, additional fines were handed down for specific incidents. Gage Goncalves got hit with a $3,125.00 fine for cross-checking Evan Rodrigues from the Panthers. Also, Roman Schmidt was fined $2,098.52 for cross-checking Carter Verhaeghe, another Panthers forward.
Jon Cooper admits Tampa Bay Lightning benches looked emptier than everJon Cooper, the head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning, shared his thoughts on the odd situation that occurred during the game, mentioning, “That was a first for me. I think we had more coaches than players on the bench at one point.”.
Paul Maurice, the head coach of the Florida Panthers, shared his concerns regarding the risks associated with teams being extremely short-handed, mentioning, “You always have a concern when you are down to five or six forwards; that’s dangerous. But we got through it. The league will look at that, handle it the same way they do in the playoffs. I’ll leave it at that.” Maurice made this statement in a post-game context.
According to Panthers forward Evan Rodrigues, the situation has escalated, adding, “It just got silly, got stupid. By the end of it, it wasn’t really hockey out there.” Rodrigues shared this view following the game.
These declarations stress the common understanding that the game has entered unsafe and non-competitive zones.
With these actions taking place just days before the Lightning's season opener against the Ottawa Senators, the team feels the heat as they prepare to launch the regular season on a fresh start. The punishments remind everyone of the league's dedication to maintaining discipline and safety in every game.
Also Read: Jake Walman’s injury setback leaves Edmonton Oilers uncertain for season opener against Calgary Flames
Why the Tampa Bay Lightning were punishedThe NHL took action against the Tampa Bay Lightning for their improper conduct shown during the heavy loss. The league's measures aimed at the team's general participation in the game's turmoil, as well as specific rule-breaking by individual players.
The team got hit with a $100,000 fine, and head coach Jon Cooper was fined $25,000 right after the game. This was all about the team's behavior that resulted in those hefty penalties and ejections.
For anyone who has not been watching the Florida Panthers/Tampa Bay Lightning game...this is the carnage.
— Evan Closky (@ECloskyWTSP) October 3, 2025
Absolute chaos tonight.
Greer started it with the Hagel hit. Bolts started swinging the entire 2nd period. https://t.co/S6bGkcbVhs pic.twitter.com/jqRkjAIe81
Scott Sabourin is suspended for four games, while J.J. Moser will sit out for two games due to their actions during the game, but the league didn't go into specifics about what they did wrong.
NHL announces layered punishments stretching from Saturday’s game through SundayThe NHL announced its disciplinary decisions in phases, kicking off right after the Saturday game and carrying on into Sunday.
The Tampa Bay Lightning were fined $100,000, and their head coach Jon Cooper faced a personal fine of $25,000. These penalties were handed out because of the way the game was conducted.
They kicked the guy who sits in there out pic.twitter.com/wQ6T8qC9Je
— We the Thunder - a Tampa Bay Lightning FAN Podcast (@WeTheThunderPod) October 3, 2025
Scott Sabourin and defenseman J.J. Moser was suspended for two games. These suspensions stemmed from their actions in the 7-0 loss to the Panthers.
On Sunday, additional fines were handed down for specific incidents. Gage Goncalves got hit with a $3,125.00 fine for cross-checking Evan Rodrigues from the Panthers. Also, Roman Schmidt was fined $2,098.52 for cross-checking Carter Verhaeghe, another Panthers forward.
Jon Cooper admits Tampa Bay Lightning benches looked emptier than everJon Cooper, the head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning, shared his thoughts on the odd situation that occurred during the game, mentioning, “That was a first for me. I think we had more coaches than players on the bench at one point.”.
At some point, the Tampa Bay Lightning have to bring the fight to the Panthers.
— Evan Closky (@ECloskyWTSP) October 2, 2025
Until then, Florida will continue to do stuff like this without any fear. pic.twitter.com/jAqOysm2QD
Paul Maurice, the head coach of the Florida Panthers, shared his concerns regarding the risks associated with teams being extremely short-handed, mentioning, “You always have a concern when you are down to five or six forwards; that’s dangerous. But we got through it. The league will look at that, handle it the same way they do in the playoffs. I’ll leave it at that.” Maurice made this statement in a post-game context.
According to Panthers forward Evan Rodrigues, the situation has escalated, adding, “It just got silly, got stupid. By the end of it, it wasn’t really hockey out there.” Rodrigues shared this view following the game.
These declarations stress the common understanding that the game has entered unsafe and non-competitive zones.
With these actions taking place just days before the Lightning's season opener against the Ottawa Senators, the team feels the heat as they prepare to launch the regular season on a fresh start. The punishments remind everyone of the league's dedication to maintaining discipline and safety in every game.
Also Read: Jake Walman’s injury setback leaves Edmonton Oilers uncertain for season opener against Calgary Flames
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