Series Talk: [A2] Tampa Bay Lightning vs [A3] Florida Panthers (FLA Leads 3-1)

[CowbellConray]

Where is Point in this series?

 

[Pablo El Perro]

Where is Point in this series?

He's had chances, some great chances

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

No. The problem is not Cooper as he would be hired within a week by another organization. The problem is the roster he is being given to use.

While the core six is still solid, they are getting older and more physically wore down. Tampa Bay sacrificed the majority of their future, both the young talent and draft picks, to win back-to-back Cups and make three straight Finals appearances. There is not an organization in professional sports that would not have done the same thing to achieve that level of success and if they tell you different, they are lying. In addition, they gave the core group a lot of incentives around limited and/or no trade clauses, plus large chunks of the salary cap that have come due. They have had six players taking over 60 percent of their CAP space over much of the last five years. Hard to find quality support players with that little Cap space.

The Lightning teams of the back-to-back-to-back Finals run had third and fourth lines that could compete game in and game out, not to mention a core that was five years younger than they are today. Players in the pipeline were available to either use as trade bait to bring in players to contribute or were able to contribute themselves. Tampa Bay's pipeline was the best in the NHL, and one of the best in Professional sports. That once overflowing pipeline is now but a mere trickle, going from top of the pile to somewhere at or near the bottom.

While many Tampa Bay fans may not admit it, they are rapidly falling into the same dilemma the Penguins did of keeping an aging core of high-priced older fan favorites at the cost of on ice success. The Lightning are not quite there yet, but that light is at the end of one of the tunnel options the organization has to decide which to take.

Yea was gonna say they remind me of the Penguins circa 2021. Still a good team but not a serious contender. And some of the same habits too, can't clear the zone and when the other team presses they crumble and can't hold a lead. They're probably 2-3 seasons out from falling out of the playoffs. It's a tough spot and not easy to avoid. Will be interesting to see what they do.

 

[Roasted Nuts]

Nah, they’re absolutely cooked as long as Florida is in the division.

 

[Ignatius]

Tampa has become the Penguins after the 2018 playoffs.

 

[cedouimet]

It aint easy when you dont cheat

 

[Fatass]

Lightning are cooked. They had their chance and chocked it up. Hoofing on Thursday.,

 

[Summer Rose]

Lightning are cooked. They had their chance and chocked it up. Hoofing on Thursday.,

If the Bolts are still in it on Thursday, that would make me happy, considering game 5 is on Wednesday.

 

[drktmplr12]

I'm waiting for Mister P to give us a LOL breakdown of the game.

I had to read twice

 

[Dread Clawz]

Hey, Hagel ....**** around and find out.

 

[CrashOut]

I had to read twice

I'm with you. I was like, make em say uhhh.

 

[CupsOverCash]

Hey, Hagel ....**** around and find out.

Maybe one of our guys can do that to Tkachuk now and he can find out.

 

[WaitingForThatCab]

Maybe one of our guys can do that to Tkachuk now and he can find out.

They have already done it to Barkov in this series.

 

[Power Surge]

Question for Panthers fans. Not sure how many here are old enough to remember Vanbiesbrouck but if you are..

Beezer or Bob?

Going with the same timeline I'll take Vasy over Puppa.

 

[Dread Clawz]

Maybe one of our guys can do that to Tkachuk now and he can find out.

Bring it on, we have more beef than you do. Panthers will come out on top in that department.

 

[Dread Clawz]

Question for Panthers fans. Not sure how many here are old enough to remember Vanbiesbrouck but if you are..

Beezer or Bob?

Going with the same timeline I'll take Vasy over Puppa.

Bob. Can't argue with results. Plus, Beezer left us after only 4 years.

 

[IceManCat]

Question for Panthers fans. Not sure how many here are old enough to remember Vanbiesbrouck but if you are..

Beezer or Bob?

Going with the same timeline I'll take Vasy over Puppa.

No question Bob has had more success. As to who was better as a Panther? I would say Beezer, I believe he was a Vezina finalist in 96 and graced the cover of NHL 97 the following year. Who is considered more iconic? You’ll have to throw in Luongo and it’s a three horse race that only time will tell.

 

[WaitingForThatCab]

Question for Panthers fans. Not sure how many here are old enough to remember Vanbiesbrouck but if you are..

Beezer or Bob?

Going with the same timeline I'll take Vasy over Puppa.

Vanbiesbrouck was better in the year of the rat than Bobrovsky has ever been for us, and that one flash of success, run down to the fumes, basically sustained the entire organization for 20+ years.

Team won a Stanley Cup in front of Bob and I'd argue he deserved the Conn Smythe more than the guy who won it for racking up points against tomato cans in the first couple of rounds.

Push. I'm old and nostalgic.

 

[Shark Finn]

ok then!

 

[Stelio Kontos]

Del

 

[CupsOverCash]

Bring it on, we have more beef than you do. Panthers will come out on top in that department.

Take off a big bite of Tkachuk is fine. Just like its no big deal at all if we're losing this. We know that's what fl would do.

 

[Mogo]

Maybe one of our guys can do that to Tkachuk now and he can find out.

You should blame Hagel. He woke up the beast.. f*** around and find out

 

[CupsOverCash]

You should blame Hagel. He woke up the beast.. f*** around and find out

Yea just elbow someone to the face let's see tb do that and the dirty hit 10 seconds after you pass it when not looking it to an important player there who wouldn't expect it. Find out.

 

[Dread Clawz]

Take off a big bite of Tkachuk is fine. Just like its no big deal at all if we're losing this. We know that's what fl would do.

Bring it, I can't promise that things won't get really ugly.

 

[FinnLightning26]

Bring it, I can't promise that things won't get really ugly.

It doesn't matter since the series is over. The Panthers still have to worry about being healthy for their run.