GDT: 5/6/18 - 3:00PM EDT - #2AT Boston VS #1AT Tampa Bay [ECSF GAME 5]

[T REX]

I love you all. That place was rocking. I have some great pics I will try to post. The crowd was awesome. We are the Thunder!

 

[T REX]

 

[T REX]

 

[T REX]

 

[The Macho King]

Did a single player have a bad game today? The closest I can think is Paquette, but even that wasn't bad by our usual standard.

I thought Gourde had some rough shifts.

 

[T REX]

 

[Stormbreaker]

 

[DFC]

From the beginning of Game 2, that was a clinic.

I'm still kind of in shock.

 

[LonLon Lei]

What, killer!!
and captain had some say, no?

 

[Per Sjoblom]

Swedish hockey fan herehere hates the Bruins. Congrats, that was very clinic, almost like the Red Wings in their hey days where they just closed shop after taking the lead. Good luck and hope Hedman wins the Norris and can take the cup home to Örnskõldsvik where it hasn't been since Peter Forsberg brought it there.

 

[DaBolts]

From the beginning of Game 2, that was a clinic.

I'm still kind of in shock.

Ditto. It's like "Tampa" and "defense" and do what?

I thought someone spiked my beer with something illegal.

 

[DaBolts]

Swedish hockey fan herehere hates the Bruins. Congrats, that was very clinic, almost like the Red Wings in their hey days where they just closed shop after taking the lead. Good luck and hope Hedman wins the Norris and can take the cup home to Örnskõldsvik where it hasn't been since Peter Forsberg brought it there.

Oh man, that would be awesome to see. Seriously.

 

[DFC]

It's hard to even fathom how dark things felt in 2016/2017. Feels like an entirely different organization.

 

[berlin]

What, killer!!
and captain had some say, no?

Girardi limping along, hopefully he’ll be ok.

 

[ToMaLe]

congrats Tampa on your series win, was rooting for you guys big time!

 

[DFC]

Girardi limping along, hopefully he’ll be ok.

Plenty of time to heal up. :p

 

[Leonardo87]

Girardi limping along, hopefully he’ll be ok.

I’m sure he is fine, playoff warriors like him grow new legs or other limbs on the off days.

 

[T REX]

It's a shame that because of the refs, we'll never be able to have seen which team would have been the better team through 7 whole games.

Lots of sour grapes on the Bruins board.

 

[DFC]

After missing the playoffs last year, is it fair to assume this year wasn't "cup or bust"? I think if we lose the ECF in a competitive series, I'm gonna consider the year a success. You guys?

 

[T REX]

After missing the playoffs last year, is it fair to assume this year wasn't "cup or bust"? I think if we lose the ECF in a competitive series, I'm gonna consider the year a success. You guys?

It is Cup or bust. Zero doubt on that.

 

[LonLon Lei]

After missing the playoffs last year, is it fair to assume this year wasn't "cup or bust"? I think if we lose the ECF in a competitive series, I'm gonna consider the year a success. You guys?

It is Cup or bust. Zero doubt on that.

I agree.
I like how this guy looks like Cally sorta BTW.

 

[Stammertime91]

After missing the playoffs last year, is it fair to assume this year wasn't "cup or bust"? I think if we lose the ECF in a competitive series, I'm gonna consider the year a success. You guys?

I think this core should be knocking every year. Last year we lost Stamkos, had several key injuries and traded guys that had been around for a bit and still managed to miss it by only a single point. I think we probably do a little damage if we make it last year but I think our expectation should be based off of 2015, 2016 and what this team looks like. We have a lot of threats on this team, a few captains, big names, 1st in the Atlantic, top team nearly all 82 games, etc. We breezed through to get here in 10 games. I think it's been good but at some point Stamkos and Hedman need to lead this team to a cup. We are set up to constantly lose 1-2 guys every couple years and replace with more talent. Maybe if we don't make the McDonagh trade and Cirelli comes in I'd be happy, but this really is cup or bust. It's a great achievement to be here again of course for these guys, but at some point you have to get it done. I think we match up well against either of the next potential opponents. Without being arrogant, I think we can make it to the finals - and with this group, we should. Biggest test will be against Vegas/Nashville/Winnipeg.

8 wins away. Unreal.

 

[DFC]

I think this core should be knocking every year. Last year we lost Stamkos, had several key injuries and traded guys that had been around for a bit and still managed to miss it by only a single point. I think we probably do a little damage if we make it last year but I think our expectation should be based off of 2015, 2016 and what this team looks like. We have a lot of threats on this team, a few captains, big names, 1st in the Atlantic, top team nearly all 82 games, etc. We breezed through to get here in 10 games. I think it's been good but at some point Stamkos and Hedman need to lead this team to a cup. We are set up to constantly lose 1-2 guys every couple years and replace with more talent. Maybe if we don't make the McDonagh trade and Cirelli comes in I'd be happy, but this really is cup or bust. It's a great achievement to be here again of course for these guys, but at some point you have to get it done. I think we match up well against either of the next potential opponents. Without being arrogant, I think we can make it to the finals - and with this group, we should. Biggest test will be against Vegas/Nashville/Winnipeg.

8 wins away. Unreal.

Yeah. I just feel like, as a fan, I'm gonna remember this season as a good one. Regardless what happens.

And I mean, somebody in the mainboard thread had a great line about TB being the Benjamin Button of the NHL: We keep getting younger and our window keeps getting longer.

 

[These Are The Days]

After missing the playoffs last year, is it fair to assume this year wasn't "cup or bust"? I think if we lose the ECF in a competitive series, I'm gonna consider the year a success. You guys?

I don't think it was "Cup or bust" going in but after New Years we realized we had a team good enough to do it and was somehow even better than the last 3 years. If we do not win a Cup I won't consider it a success because of it. At the same time I feel like it could be an indictment on Cooper. No mistake he's done well but I have to imagine that next year would be his last chance to get it done. Eventually you have to break through and win the big one. Not unless Yzerman is willing to still be patient. If you want to consider the previous summer's revamp to have been the closing of an original championship window then our 2nd window remains open til next year. We might have to make some tweaks again. But all together I cannot imagine Cooper surviving without a championship after next season.

 

[T REX]

I think this series win will overrate the Lightening. I think they're going to have trouble scoring next round. I don't see Stamkos and Kuch as big game players against the best. And you need your best players to be your best players to win the Cup

I am just glad we punked the Bruins so hard.

Schadenfreude