Love Stevie Y for building what he did... BUT, Yzerman is getting a little heat up there, meanwhile BriseBois was hired in Tampa at the same time as Y and made the deadline moves that Y never did to get Tampa over the hump. I am starting to wonder how much Y depended on JBB and misses him now. JBB went and got really good guys at the deadline last year and did amazing cap gymnastics this season. Y's teams were always crazy skilled but lacked toughness. JBB went and build around the skill guys with tough, playoff type guys. JBB is an upgrade imo.
Interesting. The Red Wings with Yzerman as Captain were always more finesse than tough - save for one Darren McCarty
It's the era though. To get past the Pens, Caps and Bruins these days, you needed some sandpaper guys. Other than Boyle (Who Y traded) Tampa was lacking those guys. JBB went out and got them (Maroon, Goodrow, Coleman, Bogosian). Now you have a couple young guys with some grit. (Ross Colton will fight anyone I seems). Goodrow layed some lumber last night. Maroon crosscheck at the end of game 5 to send a message. This team is built for playoff runs now, not just Presidents Trophies.
This and last years teams are way more physical than the 2014-2019 teams. The CBJ series in 2019 was brutal.
Carolina makes me nervous. Partly because I live up here and see them a lot. They are a really good team. Well coached. Disciplined. Tampa has to win puck battles and defend the blue line. Avoid penalties and convert on the PP. Carolina may be the best team we have faced in the playoffs since Washington in '18. (And no CBJ wasn't real good. We just fell apart)
Really gutty playoff style win in a tough environment in game one. House money tonight as home ice has already been stolen. Win tonight and Carolina has to win 4 of 5 Goodrow being back has been huge btw. Cernak and Savard were both on the ice for morning skate which is big because we were severely undermanned on D in game one.
2-0 now heading back to Tampa. Even if they made the last minute way more interesting than I wanted it to be.
I love all the different ways that this Lightning team can win games. The first round was like MMA, while this round has been more like chess. Very disciplined and confident play. It also helps to have the best goalie on the planet. Go Bolts! ⚡
That was a perfectly scripted effort. Tampa played perfectly controlled hockey all night. Business trip complete. The champs are heading home.
Playing hard tonight!!! need some of these shots to go in for us. Liking Kuch playing with fire, hitting and playing defense. Not usually like him
Had numerous opportunities to win it at the beginning of OT and didn't cash in and Kuch took a terrible penalty there.
Great game today. I think there were 8 goals in the 2nd period. Seems like the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes should trade names.