Cirelli didn't practice Tuesday, earning a well-deserved body maintenance day. After the session, Maroon said Cirelli's nose was back in place and looked pretty good all things considered.
"You would have thought he would have broken it in the fight, but a puck broke his nose," Maroon said. "He looks good. He was in good spirits today, so that's good to see."
Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said he hoped Cirelli would be okay by the time Tampa Bay plays again Thursday in Philadelphia -- the lone road game in a stretch of seven of eight at home -- but would have to wait and see.
"(His nose) has seen better days. I think it's the blood. The added gauze doesn't help," Cooper said. "He's a tough kid. That hurts, taking a puck to the face like that? Oh my gosh. He'll be alright, it's just going to take a little time here."
Cirelli's fight against Nelson was maybe the most galvanizing moment in a game filled with them for the Lightning. Cirelli isn't a regular fighter, although he's not afraid to throw down when the need arises either. When Killorn got hit, Cirelli didn't hesitate, making Nelson answer the bell for the infraction. He overwhelmed him with punches too, Nelson not even having time to throw his gloves off before Cirelli was raining down fists on his head.
Boris Katchouk said Tuesday the bench "was electric" after Cirelli got the better of Nelson.
"I think it shows that we've got each other's back," Maroon added. "If something goes down in a situation like that, obviously Nelson going after Killer there and Tony stepped right in, he didn't really hesitate. That's a good sign for this team. It shows that we care, and we want to stick up for each other. We're not here to back down. I think the most important thing is if there are any scrums or anything, we're here for each other. If there's a big hit, a dirty hit like that last night that guys are going to come in and step in. It's great to see. It shows a lot of character in that room, and it shows that the players care for each other."
As big an impact as Cirelli makes on the ice for the Lightning, his influence off of it is just as important. Maroon said players gravitate toward Cirelli. He's an approachable person who cares about his teammates. He has their back.
He proved that again Monday night against the Islanders.
"The most important thing is it just shows that's why we've had success the last two years," Maroon said. "We have guys that stick up for each other. It goes a long way, especially in the locker room. You get more respect, and it just shows how much we care for each other too. I think if something goes down, we're ready to battle."
Cooper said Monday night after the win Cirelli had the biggest impact in the game despite playing less than 10 minutes, well below his 20-plus minute average. Mathieu Joseph echoed Killorn's sentiments and called Cirelli "a warrior."
Ryan McDonagh said it was a challenge not having Cirelli on the ice for nearly half the game but understandable considering the circumstances.
"Those are penalties that you want to make sure you do a good job and kill it off," McDonagh said. "Would have loved to have him on the ice more, but at the end of the day, he's protecting your teammates and setting a tone like that, that goes a long way for our group."
