Every line with Palat is our best line. For some reason, that trait just follows that kid around. Either he's the luckiest SOB in the league, or he's the one that makes it happen.
Palat is awesome. I had the privilege of watching Chris Kreider for several games with the Rangers but he just does not have the offensive talent or even defensive talent like Palat, and Kreider was skating with Rick Nash, so it's not like he did not have top line mates. Kreider's game is actually very similar to Cally's in that he will go in front of the net, and hit other players, except he is more of a one way forward, you won't see him in defensive situations or killing penalties. Palat does it all, and I have the most respect for players who can score around 20 goals or more in a season, put up around 50 points, and kill penalties, block shots, and check. I think that is why the Pallahan line has been so good, because you have two guys who do everything on the ice. I don't think it was a coincidence they were a + 2 rating last night.
I think the Pallahan line had a little more chemistry than the Palat and Stamkos line. You look back at the season, and compare how many 5 on 5 goals were scored on those lines or at least how many really good scoring chances did each develop? I think having Flip there, just made that line come alive, and all 3 players just were a good fit together. 15 games is not really that small of a sample, and Cally had 11 points in that span. Then after Palat is moved up, Flip gets hurt, it truly hurts the production of that line.
I don't think Tampa fans should be upset, without Bishop this series and playoffs were not going to go too far. They played well, and when you don't have confidence with someone in net, then it really brings the entire team down.
Tampa fans should also be proud that they were one of the teams to finish with over 100 points, and locked in #3 in the conference right behind Boston and Pittsburgh.