East Finals

[The Napkin]

Pittsburgh Penguins (M2) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (A2)


Game 1 -- May 13, 8:10, @PIT
Game 2 -- May 16, 8:10, @PIT
Game 3 -- May 18, 8:10, @TPA
Game 4 -- May 20, 8:10, @TPA

Game 5 -- May 22, 8:10, @PIT
Game 6 -- May 24, 8:10, @TPA
Game 7 -- May 26, 8:10, @PIT

All are on NBCSN/CBC/TVAS

 

[Greg29fan]

I think this is going to be a high offense series and very exciting to watch for neutrals. Both teams are quick, push the pace, and look to score. Hedman is playing great right now, and they could get Stralman and Stamkos back at some point.

Tampa went 3-0 against Pittsburgh in the regular season, all after Sullivan took over, so that concerns me, but two of them were largely against Zatkoff.

 

[Zososoxfan]

Agreed that this series should be exciting and feature lots of offense, skill, and skating. Pitt is playing incredibly well and has more starpower up front (although Kessel leads the team with 5 goals ). Tampa has shown to be very deep on offense though with 4 tough lines led by Kuckerov, Johnson, Drouin, and Killorn (not to mention Hedman who is playing possessed recently and has 9 points in the second season). IMO, Bishop is the key to the series. He is capable of standing on his head and stealing a game or two, which is what it will probably take to knock of the Pens. I think we may see Stralman this series, but even though Stamkos is talking about playing soon, I don't think we see him until the SCF if at all.

 

[Greg29fan]

And the refs fuck up an easy game misconduct three minutes in

 

[The Napkin]

I'm not even sure I knew that was a thing. I think I always just assumed 5=game.

 

[The Napkin]

Well this sucks

 

[BoSoxFink]

Well Tampa may have won, but not having bishop is a killer. Dammit, I hate Pittsburgh, and that is a big blow to Tampa.

 

[Ed Hillel]

Bishop pulled a Pierce, unless this is a smokescreen.

 

[Greg29fan]

He didn't practice this morning, but it basically sounds like he's fine. Nothing broken and no structural damage. I wouldn't be at all surprised if he played tomorrow.

 

[Lupe Whalewatch]

i bet he dislocated his kneecap.

 

[Ed Hillel]

i bet he dislocated his kneecap.

Isn't that usually a contact injury? I'm guessing he stretched a ligament and freaked out.

 

[Lupe Whalewatch]

Isn't that usually a contact injury? I'm guessing he stretched a ligament and freaked out.

not necessarily- I'm an old washed up goalie, and its happened to me a couple times on similar type plays. It's equal parts painful and terrifying...just a guess though

 

[Greg29fan]

Isn't that usually a contact injury? I'm guessing he stretched a ligament and freaked out.

He said he thought his leg was broken. I don't know how a ligament stretch or something of that nature would feel in comparison to that.

 

[Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat]

No Bishop

 

[McDrew]

Palat with the fantastic screen for the other team.

edit: also notable, no stoppage of play from the start of the period to the goal 4:30ish in.

 

[Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat]

Well this sucks so far

 

[54thMA]

Well this sucks so far

I knew these assholes would come out storming the castle. Regardless of how this plays out, they accomplished their goal, ie, win one in the other guys building.

Hopefully they get Bishop back for game 3 at home.

 

[TSC]

It's the first period. There's still a lot of time left in this game. Relax.

 

[Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat]

This doesn't suck anymore

 

[McDrew]

Drouin snipes high stick-side to tie it. Both goalies are not having great games so far.

 

[54thMA]

It's the first period. There's still a lot of time left in this game. Relax.

What are the chances Tampa roars back and ties it up on back to back shots............................pretty good I'd say.

 

[TFP]

This is just great hockey.

 

[LogansDad]

I like overtime playoff hockey a lot better when it isn't the Bruins.

 

[Jordu]

Sure is. Speed, hitting, playmaking, and flashy goaltending by two 21-year-old goalies.

 

[The Napkin]

Looked like Crosby got dumped pretty good as time was winding down. No replay of course so no idea if it was a high stick or trip or good hit or sniper. But he looked a little dazed.

 

[LogansDad]

Well that sucked.

 

[Greg29fan]

Hooray!

 

[The Napkin]

Looked like Crosby got dumped pretty good as time was winding down. No replay of course so no idea if it was a high stick or trip or good hit or sniper. But he looked a little dazed.

Let's hope he stays a little dazed for a couple more weeks...

 

[Zososoxfan]

People here in TB are pretty optimistic, last night's ending notwithstanding. Vasilevskiy played very well, Stralman is back, and they took one in Pitt. so I think the optimism is merited. Obviously the disparity in shots is less than good and has been the case for both games so far (35-20 in G1, 41-21 in G2). Callahan getting over the flu would be helpful too.

One thing I noticed in the box score that caught my attention, TB has 7 players listed at C and only 4 players listed at W. I have no idea if that's accurate or if there's anything to take away, but it's odd.

 

[genoasalami]

You can't underestimate what the Lightning learned from last years run to the finals. They are 9-3 in the playoffs. They don't panic. They have as much of a chance to win it as anyone. As a side note, the organization is in the running for professional sports business team of the year. They really do a nice job here. Great arena with a top notch fan experience. http://events.tbo.com/news/business/tampa-bay-lightning-could-be-professional-sports-business-team-of-the-year/2277625

 

[LogansDad]

I also happen to find them a lot of fun to watch play hockey. So... there's that, too.

 

[The Napkin]

That's an awful call even without considering some of the stuff they've let go so far

 

[cshea]

Let's watch Pierre interview Philip J Kessel. This won't be awkward at all or anything!

 

[PedroSpecialK]

That is incredible

 

[Greg29fan]

He's a strange, strange guy, but he's been playing some absolutely phenomenal hockey. He was a beast last night.

 

[McDrew]

I see a lot of in-prime Ovie in Kessel right now, especially in how often he's getting good shots from the around the left offensive face off circle. He's doing a lot to be the guy on the ice with space and a shot. Whether its out-hustling D men or getting to the areas of likely rebounds, he's been in the right spot on the ice a LOT.

 

[kenneycb]

He's always been a great playoff guy, from the series against Montreal to the Bergeron! Bergeron! Bergeron! series. He has his warts but the dude shows up when it matters. He'll never be the guy because he's a winger and he's not Ovie but as a second or third wheel the guy is everything you want. That self pass to the inside out in Game 6, arguably the most important B's game in 15(?) years in terms of franchise health, is probably the most amped I've been for a goal outside the Bergeron Game 7 goal.

 

[McDrew]

Awww, Don Cherry went organic with his suit.

 

[johnmd20]

Letang is such an asshole. What an idiot and a dick.

 

[Ed Hillel]

Well then

 

[TampaSoxFan]

I picked a bad day to stop sniffing glue.

 

[Ed Hillel]

What a finish!

 

[VORP Speed]

Crazy nail biter ending

 

[Jordu]

Breathe.

 

[McDrew]

If the Penguins learned anything last night, they'll notice that they got back into it after they started getting really physical and chippy.

 

[TampaSoxFan]

Get well soon, Stammer.

 

[Greg29fan]

If the Penguins learned anything last night, they'll notice that they got back into it after they started getting really physical and chippy.

No, they got back into it when they started playing their speed game again, not turning the puck over, and not taking stupid penalties. When they do that, Tampa can't match it.

 

[McDrew]

No, they got back into it when they started playing their speed game again, not turning the puck over, and not taking stupid penalties. When they do that, Tampa can't match it.

I interpreted it as the physicality wearing out the Tampa players, which made them more tired, and therefore slower. However, you've watched them all season, and I'll take your word for it. And yes, they did come back after they stopped taking stupid penalties.

 

[Zososoxfan]

Callahan also lengthens the Bolts' forwards considerably. Callahan + the early lead let Cooper play the 4th line to great effect. Normally I hold my breath any time Brown is out there, but he looked during the first 2 periods. Stralman getting back into the swing of things also contributed. Still feel it's the Pens' series to lose, but TB can hang.

 

[Greg29fan]

Fleury gets the net tonight