Around the NHL: Part V – Nice Try, Sabres (or, Playoffs?!)

[Maximus]

Holy shit.. 5 f'n 1. Fellas we are witnessing one of the more amazing out of the blue playoff series in I can't even remember when. Lightning fans need to stay away from sharp objects immediately...lol

 

[bl02]

Columbus won the first two against Washington last year. We know how that turned out.

Totally agree but Holtby>>>> Vasy IMO

 

[94wasagoodyear]

Columbus won the first two against Washington last year. We know how that turned out.

Hopefully they learned their lesson

 

[bl02]

The Golden state warriors of the NHL lol. That is why nothing beats playoff hockey nothing.

 

[NYRKING30]

I was hoping for Tampa @NYRKING30 , but I sometimes like to cheer on underdogs in games which I`ve a neautral opinion. And I`ve Canes in 7 vs Flames - it will probably never happen, hehe.

- Panarin 5-1 that`s game 2-0 CBJ for sure. ​

We all were, now that we hit #2 I think we can all live and not really care as much if Tampa got bounced. Still got Dallas to root for.

 

[LeetchisGod]

Couldn't agree more. What's going to be really cool is that it's going to the Islanders and Devils who will also be contending for Metro supremacy as well once our rebuild really starts to bear fruit...

As a long time old time fan, alot of the newer Ranger fans really don't know true hatred of the Islanders like us Rangers fans did back in the early 80's when they were breaking our f'n hearts year after year. The rivalry with the Devils is different and the hate doesn't morph like it does for the Isles. So if we are all good in 2-3 years like we expect, it will be epic around these parts with the rivalries in full boar...

Not sure about the Isles. They are overachieving because of Trotz. Don't see a ton of talent on that team.

 

[trilobyte]

I have always thought Vasilevsky is a good goalie and still do.
No, I'm not making excuses for him at all, but that team in front of him is putrid so far.

 

[Maximus]

I do need to bring this up as a reminder. Columbus did win the first two games in Washington last year in the first round as a heavy underdog. So it's not like they haven't done this before. You guys see any difference in this matchup with Tampa compared to when they were in same position heading back to Columbus up 2-0 where they than lost the next 4 games and Caps ironically went on to win Cup?

I dunno...just something to keep in mind as we lose our mind watching this pretty startling result so far.

 

[Harbour Dog]

McDonagh is gonna wanna buy one of those things that flashes in your eyes and erases your memory of the what is currently happening.

A neuralyzer!

 

[NYRKING30]

Different series with different players.

Tampa has gotten grossly outplayed for 5 periods so far. If that doesn't change, they're toast.

Plus Vasilevsky looks completely off. He looks like ironically, playoff bobrovsky.

 

[UAGoalieGuy]

Lol Tampa had 30 more points then Columbus.

 

[East Coast Bias]

I know this ain’t popular but absolutely f*** Tampa.

It’s the 31st overall, not the 3rd. f*** this team.

 

[Overcast]

I don't think adding Dan Girardi was a bad idea by the Lightning. His game is still sufficient in my view, but there are other problems. I think they thought McDonagh would bring more than he did. I'm not being hard on McDonagh, but actually he is what they are seeing now. I think that the Lightning envisioned more impact by McDonagh.

McDonagh's 2014(?) season has people still thinking that's the player he is. I don't think he has shown one flash of that season since.

 

[Trxjw]

I'd love that 31st pick, but I just really dislike Tampa.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Tampa unhinged.

 

[Levitate]

Looks like Cooper didn't bother preparing his team to face Columbus while Tortorella has the Jackets gameplanned up for Tampa

Looking at this as a coaching fail so far

 

[Lays]

I don’t even care about getting 31st overall, I just wanna see Tampa lose bad

 

[bl02]

Was that really necessary from Kuch? i hate those hits.

 

[Rangers ftw]

Real good effort by Panarin and superb pass by Duchene

 

[LeetchisGod]

Kucherov should be suspended for that.

 

[Paulie Walnutz]

I wonder if Tampa will call anyone up from the Rangers for Game 3

 

[bl02]

I don’t even care about getting 31st overall, I just wanna see Tampa lose bad

Problem is it could give Toronto or Boston (two teams hard to digest) a much clearer path to the finals.

 

[kakkopuffs]

It might be just me, but I find it impossible to root for a team whose fans, and media, tout them as one of the greatest teams ever assembled and not an "if they win", but "when". Screw the 31st pick, Tampa and their fans deserve nothing.

 

[JT Kreider]

I'd love that 31st pick, but I just really dislike Tampa.

Now that we got Kappo I couldn't care less.

More interested in Zucc staying in Dallas, TBH

 

[Maximus]

Not sure about the Isles. They are overachieving because of Trotz. Don't see a ton of talent on that team.

Isles have some nice pieces already on team obviously led by Barzal. But they also have some real nice pieces on the farm a year or so away....Wahlstrom, Dobson just to name a few. Listen, I hope I'm wrong and you are right and that this is all Trotz driven. But from what I've seen of the Isles, I have to admit that I think they are going to be sticking around and will be pains in the asses for us going forward. Hope I'm wrong but I doubt it...hah