Updated

New Tampa Bay head coach Jon Cooper wasn't present on the bench, but he is surely pleased with the Lightning's defensive effort in a 2-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres.

Steven Stamkos and Martin St Louis each set up one another's goals, helping Tampa Bay snap a three-game losing streak. Mathieu Garon needed to make only 13 saves to pick up his fourth win of the season and first against a team other than Carolina.

The Lightning fired Guy Boucher Sunday morning and named Cooper, the head coach for Tampa Bay's AHL affiliate in Syracuse, his replacement Monday evening.

Cooper, however, will not make his NHL coaching debut until Friday, when the Lightning host New Jersey. Assistants Dan Lacroix and Steve Thomas shared the coaching responsibilities Tuesday night.

Ryan Miller stopped 21 shots for Buffalo, the only other NHL team to change coaches this season.