*** 2021-22, 2nd Round SC Playoffs: Tampa Bay Lightning (A3) at Florida Panthers (A1) - (TBL WIN 4-0) ***

[TropicalFruitGirl26]

Goal stands, the offices in Toronto...FREAKIN TORONTO mind you, has determined Bob could have still played his position.
Questionable for sure, but the Bolts now have a 3-1 lead, and now on the PP due to FLA losing their challenge.

Champs need to stomp these guys out, NOW with a 4-1 score!

[TropicalFruitGirl26]

2 minutes ago, SaucyJack said:

Might as well challenge - I don’t see these Kitty Kats scoring twice.

 

See, that's what's scary about these Panthers...they CAN!  
Which is why I want a 4th goal

Edited May 18, 2022 by TropicalFruitGirl26

[TropicalFruitGirl26]

And there it is!
Ross Colton making a name for himself....atta boy!

Bolts lose good players...others step up

[TropicalFruitGirl26]

I don't condone just sitting on a lead, but with 2 minutes left, a three goal lead, the Bolts simply have to play smart, keep away, tight defense the rest of the way and the opening game is theirs.

[Rat Trick]

1 minute ago, FireDillabaugh said:

Another blown call.  It was minor, but it falls into the goaltender interference rule, where Bob didn't have the time to reset and play his position with the goal scoring immediately when the contact is made.

 

But, nonetheless, Florida can not win this series if they give Tampa this many power plays.

Absolutely a blown call. Obviously there was contact with Bobs head and he was not able to reset and play the position and shot correctly. Does it make a damn bit of different, No but the call was blown as were several in this game. 

[Rat Trick]

Something needs to change on the PP for the Panthers before the next game or there will be more of the same going on. They have a top goalie and they just can't be hapharzardly throwing the puck at the net and think that is going to do it with Vasilevskiy in the net. 

[3 Palmateers]

 

[SaucyJack]

All the Cats backers who risked $15 to earn just $10, to win the series, are all wtf now…

[flyer4ever]

34 minutes ago, FireDillabaugh said:

Really dumb play by Forsling.

Lots of dumb play by the Cats. Tampa doesn't beat themselves. 

[TropicalFruitGirl26]

10 minutes ago, SaucyJack said:

All the Cats backers who risked $15 to earn just $10, to win the series, are all wtf now…

 

Those Vegas odds makers REALLY know how to sucker...errr, draw them in then fleece'm, eh?

[OccamsRazor]

13 hours ago, FireDillabaugh said:

Another blown call.  It was minor, but it falls into the goaltender interference rule, where Bob didn't have the time to reset and play his position with the goal scoring immediately when the contact is made.

 

But, nonetheless, Florida can not win this series if they give Tampa this many power plays.

 

 

Yeah what a terrible non calling on this.

 

 

I mean wow clear contact to his head.

[All Hail Cale]

Just like the Rangers/Carolina series this series offensively is pretty even. Defensively I would give a slight edge to Tampa Bay and the goalie goes easily to Tampa Bay. The experience in the playoffs has to also go to Tampa Bay here so the records aside the series easily looks like the Lightning should take this series. Now, I don't think this is going to be easy for the Lightning but I do think they will take the series in 6 games. 

[OccamsRazor]

Panthers better figure out the special teams woes quick or it could over before they know it.

 

0 for 21 on the power play in the playoffs is down right putrid....did Giroux bring the power play woes with him?

 

They have lost home ice this round but are in a must win game or risk being swept even...

[TropicalFruitGirl26]

Almost showtime for Game 2!

 

Will the Champs go up a healthy 2-0?
Or will the President's Trophy/Atlantic Champions square things to make it a best of 5?

Puck drop.......... as soon as this chick gets her  "The Voice"  audition out of the way  

Edited May 19, 2022 by TropicalFruitGirl26

[TropicalFruitGirl26]

Panthers starting out like the proverbial House of Fire....hitting everything in sight.
Clearly, their object is to inject more physicality into the proceedings.

Good strategy.
Bolts can match that, however.
We will see.

[TropicalFruitGirl26]

Champs get the early PP chance....they waste no time in taking advantage.
"Old Man" Perry with the deflection and goal... 1-0 Tampa Bay.

Also, for those unaware, keep an eye on TB's Ross Colton.
He, for all intents and purposes, is Yanni Gourde's replacement.

Since being given the full time 3C gig, he is coming into his own and in these playoffs he has 4G and 2A in 8 games played so far.
He even agitates a bit like Gourde did for the club.

[TropicalFruitGirl26]

Florida really taking this "physical play" thing to heart.
They continue to pound on Bolts players, especially the defensemen, in hopes of wearing down the Champs' blue line.

A tactic that could pay off big as the series moves into Games 4 and 5 later on.

[TropicalFruitGirl26]

Erik Cernak: Warrior.

That guy gets in the way of EVERYTHING!
Pucks, sticks, bodies.... takes a beating, gets carted off, skates back out there.

Period ends with the Champs up 1-0.....and Cernak taking another puck to the face.
You simply don't find many in the NHL committed enough (or crazy enough!) like Cernak to take THAT much abuse, and keep going back out there....and delivering some punishment of his own.

Hope he can come back for the 2nd frame.... that puck pie he ate looked vicious...

[Math]

Bold prediction to be false (or not).

 

If TB wins a third cup in a row, it will be because of Corey Perry.

[SaucyJack]

I don’t understand why Florida doesn’t decline 2-minute minor penalties and just opt to remain playing 5-on-5.

[TropicalFruitGirl26]

2 minutes ago, SaucyJack said:

I don’t understand why Florida doesn’t decline 2-minute minor penalties and just opt to remain playing 5-on-5.

 

 

Well, all that said, they just completed a real good PK just now.

[TropicalFruitGirl26]

24 minutes ago, Math said:

Bold prediction to be false (or not).

 

If TB wins a third cup in a row, it will be because of Corey Perry.

 

Would would be a nice storybook end to a situation where Corey Perry was BEATEN by the Lightning in Dallas and Montreal.

The old adage...."Can't beat'em....so join'em...." 

[TropicalFruitGirl26]

Florida finally on the board after Vasilevskiy does his impersonation of Michael "Leaky" Leighton....

1-1 game as period 2 winds down.

[OccamsRazor]

13 minutes ago, TropicalFruitGirl26 said:

Michael "Leaky" Leighton....

 

REPORTED!!!

[GratefulFlyers]

As John Wayne said "it's getting to be ri-goddamn-dic-ulous."

 

Almost 8 full games and they're 0 for 24 is it now? Come on boys stop gripping the sticks and let 'er rip!