The Florida Panthers (A1) defeat the Tampa Bay Lightning (WC1) 4 games to 1

[Pablo El Perro]

Not sure how anyone is beating Vegas.

I could see them slipping. It's happened in the precap world with stacked teams. Hard to bet on, but unbeatable teams get beaten.

 

[Gizmo Tkachuk]

I have faith in Colorado

I still believe in Dallas

 

[Marco 85]

Zito is God.
Transformed this franchise

 

[Chaos2k7]

Not with their goaltending.

Is Thompson/Hill any better?

 

[Master P]

I could see them slipping. It's happened in the precap world with stacked teams. Hard to bet on, but unbeatable teams get beaten.

I wouldn't call them unbeatable, just really really good and its hard not to like the pieces they added. Time will tell, but I wouldn't bet against them.

 

[FMichael]

1 down...

 

[Chaos2k7]

Vegas is going to slap the Avalanche around like Sean Connery with his date on prom night.

VGK will need to score with them

 

[Master P]

Is Thompson/Hill any better?

I think so.

 

[Pablo El Perro]

I wouldn't call them unbeatable, just really really good and its hard not to like the pieces they added. Time will tell, but I wouldn't bet against them.

Yeah, agree on betting odds. Just being hopeful that any of the field can beat them in a best of 7.

 

[bov]

The better team won. Florida's commitment was really impressive. Never strayed from the gameplan from minute 1 to minute 60.

My #1 star of the series was Forsling but Bob, Tkachuk and Verhaeghe were beasts too.

 

[ucanthanzalthetruth]

AV? I have had it since it happened. Nice try to burn me but it was an ice cold landing. I have been a lightning fan since they were invented and I go to meet the 2004 Stanley Cup team with because my hockey team won states.

Not salty, the deeper team won. We still are a better franchise. Good luck signing all your players in the offseason.

 

[Pablo El Perro]

The better team won. Florida's commitment was really impressive. Never strayed from the gameplan from minute 1 to minute 60.

My #1 star of the series was Forsling but Bob, Tkachuk and Verhaeghe were beasts too.

Yeah, people who claim Tampa's stars were off don't realize what guys who shut down lanes without smashing people can do in today's game.

 

[More 2004]

Oh no the sky is falling. Great win for Florida but we aren't done. Reset and reload. We shall be back.

 

[flying squirrel]

Passing of the torch moment. Tampa is done as a contender. Phenomenal run. 2 Cups, 4 East titles, 6 East Finals appearances.

Yep, that 8 yr run of 6 ECF's, 4 SCF's, 2 "Cups", and 3-peat attempt at the end of 8yr playoff run. Was more than any NHL fan could ask for, unbelievable memories!!! Nothing great last forever, and time to pass torch for now and see what Lightning do now.

Truly amazing Lightning stayed this competitive: after such cap-scraps to keep that success together. Cap ony goign uo like 2 million over 3-4 yr while Lightning were attemtping 3-peat was terrible cap timing. It happens, one takes some -vs- losing some.... Still was worse cap growth any multiple winning "Cup" winning teams dealt with by a long-shot. GM made some great cost -vs- value moves that keep Lightning compeditive last 2-3 years, but missed the mark on some that have stung team.

 

[T REX]

Congrats to FL.

Better team front to back.

They play like Tampa used to.

Bob will need to win some games but that team is ready.

Vegas vs FL 2.0

Crazy.

Oh no the sky is falling. Great win for Florida but we aren't done. Reset and reload. We shall be back.

Reload with what?

 

[winnipegger]

That Hedman clapper from the slot was pretty vintage though. They'll keep hanging around with those players for a few more years.

 

[6ix]

Panthers are wagon. If this is the end of Tampa’s dominance it was a hell of a run.

 

[T REX]

Nice to find silver linings

Hey, losing sucks. Go represent FL.

The rest of the hockey world hates when southern teams win.

Go go make some diehards angry for us

 

[Rschmitz]

Tampa Bay fans crying about the officials in 3...2..1.

Only the official score

 

[kadertot]

The battle of Florida is easily my favorite part of the 2020s so far. Probably the best rivalry right now. I’m praying for a 4th installment next year.

 

[Crunchrulz]

Nah

Oh yea. Might want to head over to their board and read the post game comments from the Game 5 section.

 

[More 2004]

Yeah, people who claim Tampa's stars were off don't realize what guys who shut down lanes without smashing people can do in today's game.

Our stars were fine.. Verhaeghe was killing it!

 

[Pablo El Perro]

Our stars were fine.. Verhaeghe was killing it!

The series, imo, was the Panthers PK. At least 75% of them were just Panthers players shutting down passing lanes and stripping the puck from the Bolts before they entered the zone. Swaggy will score if you let him, which is a different issue.

 

[Pablo El Perro]

Oh yea. Might want to head over to their board and read the post game comments from the Game 5 section.

, Probably shouldn't go to team boards. They're either the sky is falling or this is the greatest night ever, especially in the playoffs.

 

[PatriceBergeronFan]

Too easy for Florida unfortunately. I hoped for a physical 7 game series.