It wasn’t that long ago that Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper saw a “good sign” that his team would have home-ice advantage in the playoffs. Now, he is singing a different tune following a challenging Game 4 loss to the Florida Panthers in the NHL first round.

Panthers coach Paul Maurice and Lightning coach Jon Cooper have much in common besides having their names etched onto the Stanley Cup and residing in Florida. They're both savvy in how they deal with media. They're both masters of dry humor. And they don't mind being on the receiving end of a light-hearted jab.

The Tampa Bay Lightning don’t boast that kind of depth, but one thing they showcase more than anything else — and perhaps more than any NHL team — is pure star power. So far, the stars aren’t shining for the Lightning. If that doesn’t change in a hurry, it will be lights out.