TAMPA, Fla. -- New York Rangers coach Gerard Gallant sat inside a conference room at Amalie Arena, discussing how his team's surprising Stanley Cup playoffs run ended in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals. On the other side of a wall sat coach Jon Cooper, surrounded by Tampa Bay Lightning conference championship hats and riding a much different vibe.
"Gerard Gallant is going to be sitting here in not too long," Cooper said, pointing to the victors' podium.
It could have happened this week. The Rangers held a 2-0 series lead over Tampa Bay.