Pre-Game Talk: 2018 NHL Playoffs Round 1: (1) Tampa Bay Lightning vs (WC2) New Jersey Devils

[Five Alarm Fire]

Confirmed with Boston's loss to Florida. (Thanks Flobros!)

Games:
Thursday April 12 - at Tampa Bay 7 PM
Saturday April 14 - at Tampa Bay 3 PM
Monday April 16 - at New Jersey 7:30 PM
Wednesday April 18 - at New Jersey 7:30 PM
*Saturday April 21 - at Tampa Bay TBD
*Monday April 23 - at New Jersey TBD
*Wednesday April 25 - at Tampa Bay TBD



Regular Season

October 17th - 5-4 SOL


February 17th - 4-3 L


March 24th - 2-1 L

Click to read more...

 

[Steazy Doo]

@JoeSmithTB
Steven Stamkos says Lightning loss to Devils in 2007 still very much fresh in the minds of the players. "We need to use that to our advantage."

 

[The Macho King]

@JoeSmithTB
Steven Stamkos says Lightning loss to Devils in 2007 still very much fresh in the minds of the players. "We need to use that to our advantage."

Lol.

 

[Fabiobest]

Well...here we are!!!
We're the champs and so our (I hope first) opponent will be New Jersey.
I think NJ is a hard team to play against. They've some good player and, in particular, nothing to lose.
We've to pay attention: it'll be very important to start well the series.
Btw, our team has to show his skills.

 

[The Macho King]

Trash talk mode activated.

 

[These Are The Days]

Well to make matters simple the Lightning are in a way blessed in that if you hold off Hall you're holding off most of NJ's offense. But these are the last guys I wanted us to play

 

[dechire]

Let's go Bolts !!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[DaBolts]

Hopefully Hall gets a lot of Stralman and Hedman...

Screw it boys, let's just do it.

 

[Hoek]

What the.. how is 2007 fresh in the minds of guys who weren't in the NHL back then? Seems like a stretch, lol. But yes I would like to avenge 2007... and 2003.

 

[berlin]

This will be a tough series, gotta out-work them.

 

[Lightning1995]

Tampa in 5

 

[TeslaCoilFan]

Well to make matters simple the Lightning are in a way blessed in that if you hold off Hall you're holding off most of NJ's offense. But these are the last guys I wanted us to play

As I posted in our Kitty Cats vs. Booins thread, Hall scoring goals on us wasn't the problem, it was the space he created for others that hurt us.
Oct. 17: Stafford, Palmieri (1st assist Hall), Gibbons, Stafford
Feb. 17: Lovejoy, Hischier (1st assist Hall), Zacha, Wood
March 24: Hischier, Palmieri (2nd assist Hall)

Hopefully Hall gets a lot of Stralman and Hedman...

Screw it boys, let's just do it.

From your mouth to Coop's ears. lol Think they'll try McD/Stråls a bit more though. But that would mean one or two of Heddy, Stråls and McD could be on the ice most of the time. Still not quite sold on McD based on his struggles fitting into our system, but he's got oodles of playoff experience.

 

[RussianGuyovich]

Playoff posting activated

 

[Zippy316]

Should be a fun one. How do you guys anticipate the Lightning will line up for this series? Wondering how the match-ups are going to end up working out.

Devils will likely be something along the lines of:

Hall - Hischier - Palmeiri
Wood - Zacha - Maroon
Coleman - Zajac - Noesen
Grabner - Boyle - Gibbons

Johansson should return at some point, but no idea where he slots in right now.

Greene - Vatanen
Moore - Mueller
Butcher - Lovejoy

Severson will also likely get in at some point depending on how Mueller/Lovejoy play.

Kinkaid
Schneider.

 

[Thunder Warrior]

WHAT'S UP LIGHTNING NATION !

This is my first post ever on HFBOARDS.

I have been following Tampa Bay closer than I ever did since the beginning of the 2017-2018 season.

I turned 30 last November and I made a lot of changes in my life, including a change in NHL hockey team affiliation.

This Tampa Bay team is a treat to watch, and boy do I look good in that blue jersey.

I have been reading this forum for most of the season and I saw the beginning of the playoffs as an opportunity to start contributing.


Tampa Bay in 5.


GO BOLTS

 

[Stormbreaker]

 

[God King Fudge]

Play like they did when they shut out Boston, this series is over in 5.

Play like they did against the Sabers and Hurricanes. Could be in some serious trouble. Consistent 60 minute efforts needed every single game.

Do that and no one will take 4 of 7 from TB. They're too skilled to lose a series if they're on their game.

Am really concerned about Vasy though.

 

[Hoek]

I think the Devils blew their chance at an upset by sweeping us in the regular season. That should be enough to have our focus. They might steal a game or two early, but once we figure them out they don't have the depth for a plan B. Just like the Islanders series in 2004.

 

[TheDaysOf 04]

Let's Go!

 

[Bolt 45]

I think the Devils blew their chance at an upset by sweeping us in the regular season. That should be enough to have our focus. They might steal a game or two early, but once we figure them out they don't have the depth for a plan B. Just like the Islanders series in 2004.

Yeah, I sort of expect Hall/Hischier to have a big game or two. But by the same token, I also remember what a postseason Hedmonster looks like. I have to think we're in a good place if we work as hard as the Devils. Boyle better not go all traitor on us, dammit.

 

[OurlordAndSaviorKuch]

Got my tickets for Thursday myself and three buddies going to the game don't play like ass please Bolts.

 

[DrMartinVanNostrand]

@JoeSmithTB
Steven Stamkos says Lightning loss to Devils in 2007 still very much fresh in the minds of the players. "We need to use that to our advantage."

Lol.

Lol indeed. Literally nobody on either roster is left from 2007; Stamkos was a year away from being drafted.

Although, we are 0-2 in the playoffs against New Jersey but they were favorites both times. Time to turn the screws.

 

[DrMartinVanNostrand]

I think the Devils blew their chance at an upset by sweeping us in the regular season. That should be enough to have our focus. They might steal a game or two early, but once we figure them out they don't have the depth for a plan B. Just like the Islanders series in 2004.

Said the same thing in the GDT last night as far as people being concerned about facing New Jersey rather than Toronto. The Isles were 3-1 against the Lightning in 2004, and so there was some concern about a 1/8 upset. And then Khabibulin put a pretty definitive end to that.

A SO loss, as well as a couple one-goal losses. I mean, if the Devils had overwhelmed us on a couple of occasions, I'd buy into the matchup aspect of it a little bit more. But all this tells me, really, is that the Devils were on the fortunate end of some variance. They could always win this series, sure, anything's possible, but I always thought it was overthinking things to make yourself believe that Toronto could've been a preferable 1st round opponent in any way whatsoever. Did not buy that for one second.

 

[AlphaCatalyst]

 

[tnsn78]

Finally it begins. Have been waiting for 365 + (how many???) days
Go bolts!