ECR1: Florida Panthers (A3) vs Tampa Bay Lightning (A2) - PANTHERS WIN 4-1

[OminousFlames]

I'm torn in this series.. I like the Panthers, but that draft pick. But a Panthers fan really hates the Bolts, so Go Panthers!


Edit:
Besides the Panthers really did us a solid last year by eliminating the Oilers.

[3rd liner]

Chucky is a game time decision. Gamesmanship, or is he still nursing the 4 nations injury? Between McAvoy and Tkachuk you have to wonder if GMs will support that tournament again. It was a huge hit for ratings in North America, but quite a cost for some teams.

[SuperMatt18]

Go Tampa Bay

I hate Tampa Bay but I want that pick to be as high as possible.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I think Tampa takes this one. I like the moves they made, plus Vasilevskiy has been great this year. Florida also seems to be somewhat 'limping in', and that isn't promising for what I think will be a total war of attrition. It certainly feels like Tampa is walking into this one a whole lot healthier and more on top of their games. Should be the best series of the entire playoffs - at least that is my own expectation for this series.


What sucks is that it may leave a lane for Toronto to sneak through. Hopefully they save enough in the tank to take Toronto out. i would be surprised if an Atlantic team isn't in the Finals this year. I haven't forgotten how much time I was forced to sit through watching Leafs' practice notes and interviews ahead of Calgary Flames GAME highlights, and I remember the Leafs' stuff was actually longer. It was nauseating! We are already so nauseated by Ron MacLean always bringing up "McDavid" even when the Oilers aren't playing. Having the Leafs win would be catastrophic!

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by 3rd liner

Chucky is a game time decision. Gamesmanship, or is he still nursing the 4 nations injury? Between McAvoy and Tkachuk you have to wonder if GMs will support that tournament again. It was a huge hit for ratings in North America, but quite a cost for some teams.

Nursing an injury. Much of Team USA played like morons shot out of a cannon, but Tkachuk went full young Chucky and hurt himself trying to be the pest. Shades of his time as a Flame.

[chummer]

What a goal by Bennett.

[midniteowl]

Yes, Sammy!!!

[DeluxeMoustache]

Legend

[Mathgod]

1-1

2-1 Panthers back on top

[Savvy27]

Reinhart obviously watching Parekh highlights.

[3rd liner]

3-1 cats

[OminousFlames]

4-1 Panthers make them pay for failed challenge.

[3rd liner]

How was chucky that wide open??? 4-1.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

That was a really stupid challenge by Cooper. It's a simple hockey play for a loose puck in the pads. Tkachuk left all alone on the PP too on the penalty following. He had all day to score.

[Mathgod]

Dolts getting hammered. Wow.

Turns out it's not so easy to win in the playoffs when you don't have a $100M+ roster.

[midniteowl]

Did I see it correctly? Cats has 10 shots and scored 4 goals?

[OminousFlames]

5 goals

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Mathgod

Dolts getting hammered. Wow.

Turns out it's not so easy to win in the playoffs when you don't have a $100M+ roster.

They've actually turned a lot of those championship rosters over:

Kucherov
Point
Hagel
Hedman
Vasilevskiy
Cernak
and a Gourde retread are all that remain.

Edit: sorry, forgot that in 2022 they had Paul and Raddysh

Much of this current roster has never won a lot in the playoffs and may have a lot of learning to do.


Panthers have been hitting hard and clean all night and it's getting under the skin of the Lightning. They don't love that style so it's definitely going to wear them down.


Tkachuk scores again on the PP after a silly penalty from Tampa because they're frustrated. 5-1 Panthers.

[midniteowl]

WOW

[Paulie Walnuts]

They also brought back Ryan McDonagh because the players missed him.