The Lightning have a chance to repeat as Stanley Cup champions Monday night against the Canadiens, but it would once again be in isolation in Canada, as the country’s COVID-19 border restrictions have prevented friends and families from attending games.

Tampa mayor Jane Castor insinuated the Lightning should throw the potential sweep in order to win the Cup on home ice at Amalie Arena on Wednesday.

“What we would like is for the Lightning to take it a little bit easy, to give the Canadiens just the smallest break, allow them to win one at home, and then bring it back to the Amalie Arena for the final and the winning of the Stanley Cup,” she said. “We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves. But they are playing some amazing, amazing hockey.”

The Canadian government did not grant Lightning family members permission to cross the border for the potential celebration. Considering the Canadiens’ request to increase attendance at Bell Centre for Games 3 and 4 was denied by Quebec public health authorities, the Lightning could potentially hoist another Stanley Cup to a near empty arena – like they did when they won it last season in the Edmonton bubble.

Lightning coach Jon Cooper insisted his team is just focused on completing the sweep. Tampa Bay has whiffed on a few closeout games recently, including when the Islanders forced this postseason’s semifinal series to seven games.  

“That [thought of winning at home versus the sweep] will never sneak into our locker room,” Cooper said Sunday. “It’s about winning. It’s not about where you win. And that’s all we care about.”

Added captain Steven Stamkos: “We’ve been in this position before. We understand the magnitude of the game. We’re focused on the start of next game. All those other things work themselves out. You never know what’s going to happen in the course of a game or a series, so we’re focused on our start next game.”