This is the series that will show if the Panthers are truly for real or not. They got worked last year, mostly on special teams, but were missing Ekblad as well. It was a tough and hard-battled series, but they fell short to an elite team. Now Tampa is more of a good team that has the experience needed to succeed, but no longer have all those weapons of a year ago. Still, they shouldn't be taken lightly. They took out a good Leafs team with really strong playoff style hockey.
I worry because the Panthers are not playing the brand of hockey really necessary for a long playoff run, but I think they also learned some good lessons playing a very physical Capitals team. They overcame adversity to show that they are a real contender, albeit one that still has something to prove.
My heart says Panthers in 7, but my head says Bolts in 7. Either way, it should be a helluva series. These two teams do NOT like each other.
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"You know, that's kinda why I came here, to show that I don't suck that much" ~ Devin Cooley, Professional Goaltender
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