As a Canes fan who attended that game, well played Tampa Bay. You definitely outplayed us, which is saying something. The Canes, bad as we are, rarely get outplayed and VERY rarely get outworked. We're a lunchpail team right now that struggles to score and has a very stout defense and great goaltending. When we get a couple lucky ones early, we're like the Devils.
I thought y'all (I'm a southerner!) certainly outplayed us most of the game. Maybe not 50 minutes as another poster said - I thought the Canes' 3rd looked real solid for a team in the lead. But for most of the 2nd and the latter half of the 1st we floundered. I was very impressed with your speed. Holy cow your guys can fly. Tyler Johnson was very impressive, Stamkos outskated us every time he got the puck, and even Mark Barbeiro looked impressive. Overall your D is huge and played well for the most part. And Brian Boyle, geez. What a terrible backcheck by Victor Rask, but well executed by Boyle there. For sure the biggest reason we won was goaltending. Khudobin was superior to Bishop last night. I don't think the 4th was a softie though. Bishop was prepared for the shot and Tlusty is the best finisher on the Canes in situations like that. Maybe Timmy Thomas can make routine saves of that ilk, but it was a pretty fast post-to-post maneuver regardless.
Anyway, just wanted to give you my thoughts. You looked like a contender to me last night.
