Series Talk: Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New York Rangers | Eastern Conference Finals

[pld459666]

Tampa had rest during the entire qualifying round of the bubble and still beat their round 1 opponent in 5 games. A rest won't hurt em.

We will see

 

[Raspewtin]

I don't think Tampa is as fast as the Canes to be honest, and I think our chances of forecheck pressure are higher than vs Carolina. Pressure their D into mistakes, it can be done. Guys like Ruutta, Cernak and Sergachev. They roll four lines. Their forwards are penalty prone, even their top players.

Tampa is way slower than the Canes but significantly heavier. Especially at D

Sergachev, Cernak, Bogosian, Hedman, even McDonagh are miserable to play against. Their D being all giants was a big part of their wins

 

[Chytilmania]

You know what's nice? In years past we always had to worry about the other teams' PP like Pitt, Was and TB. Now we are changing the course of games because of our PP.

 

[pld459666]

It absolutely is a legit run. But I look and don't have any expectations now whereas I definitely had some expectations in the last two series.

See, I have MORE expectations now than I did in the Carolina series.

I know we are a good team. I know we have the ability to beat Tampa.

 

[Lgrsean]

Does anyone have any statistics about how much a layoff effects a team heading into the next round? Tampa won't have played in 9 full days by the time the puck drops. in 2019 Boston had almost 11 days of rest between the the ECF and SCF and they managed to go 7 games vs St Louis...

The last 7 times a team that advanced in 7 matched up against a team that won in 4, the 7 game team won

 

[duhmetreE]

IMO Strome is heating up.

The 4th line looks good even with Reavo...

If we get all 4 lines rolling we're going to be a problem for anyone.

 

[Chytilmania]

The last 7 times a team that advanced in 7 matched up against a team that won in 4, the 7 game team won

Really? Which series were those?

I tried looking up stats and it was all prior to 2012 so I'm sure it's a little different now with scoring. But the team's that swept going into the conference finals won the majority and the teams that won in 7 lost the majority.

IMO Strome is heating up.

The 4th line looks good even with Reavo...

If we get all 4 lines rolling we're going to be a problem for anyone.

It's time him, Panarin and Copp go off like there were at the end of the season.

 

[archanfelnsx]

Once you've made it this far you've gotta believe. Yes Tampa Bay is the two time defending Cup champs, means nothing now. Many of the Ranger players had no playoff experience and they made it this far. And the kids haven't been passengers, they have contributed and have been part of the success. The only team left in the playoffs that I believe the Rangers cannot beat is Colorado. But what if Edmonton pulls off an upset and makes it to the Finals and the Rangers can use their home ice advantage to make it to the Finals? I don't think that scenario is too far fetched.

This season has been a success for sure but screw the narrative that you've gotta lose before you can win. Write your own damn narrative. Don't waste a 3-1 and 3-2 comeback in Rounds 1 and 2. Tampa Bay was taken to Game 7 by the Toronto Maple Leafs so they are not invincible. And then they swept a Florida team built on offense and their offense didn't show up. The Rangers have Igor Shesterkin, this guy has won everywhere. Why not us? Why not now?

 

[Chytilmania]

Tampa has 30 more PIM than the Rangers in 3 less games.

Is that from fighting? Or are they in the box a lot?

 

[Levitate]

I think there were some blowups in Toronto

 

[Idlerlee]

Final. What a lovely word. Lets make it to the one after this as well

 

[SeanAveryTheGreatOne]

Tampa has 30 more PIM than the Rangers in 3 less games.

Is that from fighting? Or are they in the box a lot?

That's from playing a Canadian team

 

[Kodiak]

While I understand the concept of playing with house money, I don't buy into it.

The Rangers, pretty much the whole season, have shown to be (proven even) that they are as good as any team in the league. All teams have certain matchups that are not advantageous and the Canes were that problem team for the NYR's during the Regular Season.

It's nice that we are young and in the conference finals, but I will be no less disappointed in losing now than I would be in 2-3 years.

Down 2-0 to Carolina, I thought for sure they were swept or out in 5.

To win 4 of the next 5 from that Canes team with that game 5 loss so clear in my head, I am no longer comfortable writing this team off.

I have every belief that they can beat Tampa Bay. They have shown time and again that they are a more than capable enough team.

Just happy to be here is no longer viable. I believe they can win, I want them to win.

I don't think it's a matter of writing the team off or just being happy to get this far. I think it's more that the team has already exceed expectations to the point that the season cannot be considered a disappointment regardless of the outcome of the series.

Of course, I want them to win, and I think they can beat Tampa and I'm very excited to see this series. If they lose, I will be disappointed in the loss. But this season and playoff run have been such a great ride for us and a great experience for the players that the season has to be considered successful.

 

[duhmetreE]

LOL

he's picked all the losers. Hopefully he takes Tampa

 

[Cmox]

he's picked all the losers. Hopefully he takes Tampa

Hes a kod. Hope he routes against the Rangers

 

[Kodiak]

McDonagh won two and I was happy to see him win, but I wouldn't give him a second thought in this series.

 

[TheDirtyH]

all the talk is on vasilevsky, but imho Kucherov is the scariest player in the league to be facing in the postseason at any position. I'd rather be looking down McDavid than playoff Kuch. Vasilevsky was great against Florida, no doubt, but Kuch demoralized them.

We have a player of that caliber (or near enough to it) too, but ours has been a flat tire this postseason. I really don't like our chances if Panarin can't find his game against Tampa. But maybe he will!

 

[Irishguy42]

Is Point expected to be back this series?

 

[UAGoalieGuy]

Series is really 50/50 to me. Rangers can't give up as many quality scoring chances as they did against the Canes even with Point out. Kucherov is deadly.

Practicing is different then playing in games. Speed is different as well as competition. That's the one draw back of a long rest. Rangers have to come out like they were fired out of a cannon and put the pressure on Tampa. Get on them early and set the tone of the series.

 

[duhmetreE]

all the talk is on vasilevsky, but imho Kucherov is the scariest player in the league to be facing in the postseason at any position. I'd rather be looking down McDavid than playoff Kuch. Vasilevsky was great against Florida, no doubt, but Kuch demoralized them.

We have a player of that caliber (or near enough to it) too, but ours has been a flat tire this postseason. I really don't like our chances if Panarin can't find his game against Tampa. But maybe he will!

 

[will1066]

Tampa has 30 more PIM than the Rangers in 3 less games.

Is that from fighting? Or are they in the box a lot?

They've been taking lots of infraction penalties but they also had a brawl with Toronto that probably racked up PIMs.

 

[HANK30]

Is Point expected to be back this series?

 

[Machinehead]

We're going to be locked in a cage with a lion the next 4-7 games. This isn't a hockey team, it's a Gundam. The Lightning don't feast on the weak; they take from the strong.

At least once in this series, we're gonna look like we've never played hockey before. Don't forget what we've already done when that happens.

If folks respond with "blow it up, they can't handle it, not playoff performers, etc." I hope they're not taken seriously. I certainly won't.

 

[PuckLuck3043]

If people think this series is going to be easy for Tampa they are in for a very rude awakening. The Rangers match up very well with The Bolts.

 

[Clown Fiesta]

Shesty about to take the crown from Vas. Cooper was asked about Shesty at one point this season and said something along the lines of “My guy has won the cup back to back, until someone else does he’s still the best.” Hubris.