Erik Condra 'much better' after big hit Thursday

It certainly didn't look good Wednesday when wing Erik Condra took a nasty fall into the boards early in the first period, thanks to a hit by the Islanders' Casey Cizikas.

Condra looked dazed, having to get helped off by a trainer and two teammates, and never returned in a 5-3 Game 1 loss to New York.

But coach Jon Cooper seemed encouraged with how Condra is feeling Thursday, even if it's questionable whether the wing can skate the next few days.

"That was a hit that looked really bad," Cooper said. "But he's doing a lot better than the actual hit looked."

Cooper didn't appear to have an issue with Cizikas hit, which came near the Lightning red line as Condra was sending a pass up ice. "A…