Actions have consequences, plain and simple.

That was the message delivered by Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper the morning after scratching center Valtteri Filppula from Wednesday's lineup for missing a team meeting.

"It's all about the team," Cooper said Thursday, per Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times. "Everything here is team first. But the hard thing about the situation like this was, there was no ill will in any of this. That's the part that's tough, when it's a simple mistake. But everyone else is included in this, trust me. Nobody wants any of this to happen.

"Fortunately for us we were able to win the game," he added. "But believe me we're a much better team with Val in the lineup."

The Lightning indeed beat Montreal in overtime without Filppula, but he'll return for Thursday's game against Toronto.

In 34 games this season, Filppula has recorded six goals and 18 assists.

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