TAMPA Coach Jon Cooper began his post-morning-skate news conference Saturday by going through the list of Lightning players not available for that night's game against the visiting Canadiens.

C Steven Stamkos? C Tyler Johnson?

"No. No," Cooper said. "Keeping going. (C Cedric) Paquette? No. (D Jason) Garrison? No."

Later in the session, Cooper was asked whether that given the play of the young players who have stepped in from AHL Syracuse to help fuel the Lightning's late-season playoff push, is it possible that the return of Stamkos, who hasn't played since Nov. 15 because of knee surgery, or Johnson, who has missed 11 games with a lower-body injury, could upset the current chemistry in the dressing room?

"For me, in the end, I want the best players in, and when those guys are healthy and ready to go, they're going back in," Cooper said. "I do see your point of don't rock the boat when things are going well, but we lost three games in a row right before (the four-game winning streak leading into Saturday's game.)"

Cooper said he liked the way D Jake Dotchin, C Gabriel Dumont, C Yanni Gourde and company have played during the winning streak but given a choice, he wants his best players on the ice.

"In the end, wouldn't it be great to have Stamkos back? Yes. Johnson? Yes. Paquette? You just go down the list," Cooper said. "But you got to tip your cap to the players who've come up. They've been game-changers for us."

How much of a game-changer?

"These guys that have come up have really been the straw that stirred our drink," he said.

Hedman of the class

D Victor Hedman set the Lightning season record for points by a defenseman Thursday against the Red Wings when he picked up his 51st assist of the season. Hedman entered Saturday with 66 points (15 goals) to break Roman Hamrlik's mark of 65 (16-49) set in 1995-96. Dan Boyle (20-43) had 63 in 2005-06.

Doing what he can

To say coach Jon Cooper is impressed with C Gabriel Dumont is an understatement. That he was a fifth-round draft pick in 2009 might be the key to his success, Cooper said. Instead of wondering when he would reach the NHL, like some first- and second-rounders think, Dumont, 26, just worked on improving his game.

Now Dumont is taking faceoffs in the defensive zone and blocking shots.

"There's no pressure on (lower-round picks), and they just work, work, work," Cooper said. "They have to get past the hurdle of not being a high draft pick, but once they get past that, everything is infectious with the way they play. It's on (Dumont) how long this is going to last, but he continues to give me reasons to put him on the ice. Then you couple that with he's a phenomenal kid. He still just wants to learn and get better. Guys like him is a good reason why we're still hanging around (the playoff picture)."

Injury updates

C Steven Stamkos (knee), C Tyler Johnson (lower body), C Cedric Paquette (lower body) and D Jason Garrison (lower body) did not play Saturday. Cooper said Stamkos and Johnson could return on the road trip that begins Tuesday in Boston.

Jon Cooper: No chemistry concerns when Lightning's hurt players ready to return 04/01/17 [Last modified: Saturday, April 1, 2017 9:54pm] Photo reprints | Article reprints

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