GDT: 5/16/21 - 7:30PM EDT - #3CD Tampa Bay @ #2CD Florida [CDSF GAME 1]

[Oilers in NS]

Panther fans are in such denial it’s hilarious. Especially when they employ some of the dirtiest players in Gudas, Lomberg, Marchment, and Bennett.

I’m just happy u guys have a rivalry going, I’ve been to both arenas. TB is getting great crowds. I was there in 2011 and 2017. Beautiful Arena

 

[SRQKiter]

To be fair that no goal call on Florida was weak.

That was as easy and correct a no goal call as there is to make. In that particular instance the pushing of Vasy's pad, which allowed the puck to cross the line, was as plain to identify as most puck over the glass calls.

 

[Five Alarm Fire]

Our third line had the worst fancy stats on the game, but I think they were on the ice when Sergachev gifted Huberdeau that breakaway. I thought they looked pretty good all game, Coleman especially.

Only one D pairing looked good last night. Hedman just doesn't look the same, Sergachev needs to play smarter and Savard is just slow. I'm hoping Hedman figures it out at some point, but with the haircut it looked like a young Hedman had been time traveled to 2021.

 

[BoltsFanSinceDay1]

Great game overall and relishing the win and Kuch/Stammer being back and glad to see Pointer have his old assurance back. Concerned about how to score when the whistles are put away....was a problem in the regular season also.

 

[zeykshade]

That was as easy and correct a no goal call as there is to make. In that particular instance the pushing of Vasy's pad, which allowed the puck to cross the line, was as plain to identify as most puck over the glass calls.

The flexing of Bennett's stick as he pushed Vasy's pad did it for me. Made that an absolute no-brainer of a call. The ref being able to see that in real time was actually impressive imo.

 

[StaySalty]

I'm just going to leave this here.

 

[TheDaysOf 04]

Joel Quenneville post game:

"... they made a nice play on the winner. We had possession and then it's in our net so it's one of those plays. Every shift is so critical against that team because they can make something out of nothing."

"There's a lot of good things out there. There's a lot of good things to take out of it. I think the games that we got beat by them this year, there was a lot of frustration in knowing that you think you deserve better, but that's the difference between teams that know how to win and we're looking to get educated."

 

[Rschmitz]

Our team has played some of the most memorable games in the league for the past half decade is, last night is why I watch hockey, nothing even comes close to it.

 

[JFleegs]

Our team has played some of the most memorable games in the league for the past half decade is, last night is why I watch hockey, nothing even comes close to it.

And yet we get so much hate from everybody. Funny how that is when your on the top.

 

[JFleegs]

offsides on panthers 4th goal, should have challenged I saw this live but there was no replays.

 

[Sky04]

View attachment 434978
offsides on panthers 4th goal, should have challenged I saw this live but there was no replays.

That doesnt look too concrete to me, offside calls are almost 100% right with the tech they have on the bench, if they didn't challenge it was probably for good reason. I don't think we got a single one wrong this season.

 

[DistantThunderRep]

View attachment 434978
offsides on panthers 4th goal, should have challenged I saw this live but there was no replays.

Looks like puck is in the air so would have been rule inconclusive. Probably the right move not to challenge.

 

[DrMartinVanNostrand]

If this series goes 6/7 games and each game is gonna be like this we gotta start pulling hard for the Preds to win. We'll be dead by the end of this series, would not want to face the Canes at that point.

Wouldn't we have been rooting for the Preds regardless?

And that's kinda my fear as well. This series already is reminding me a lot of the Flyers/Penguins series from 2012. The Flyers won that series, but then were rather easily dispatched by a low-seeded Devils team in the next round. While I fully trust the mentality of this team if they get through this round, that might not matter if they're physically worn out.

 

[JFleegs]

Wouldn't we have been rooting for the Preds regardless?

And that's kinda my fear as well. This series already is reminding me a lot of the Flyers/Penguins series from 2012. The Flyers won that series, but then were rather easily dispatched by a low-seeded Devils team in the next round. While I fully trust the mentality of this team if they get through this round, that might not matter if they're physically worn out.

It could also go the other way though. To win this series we have to get back to our structure and we’ll be used to playing at a higher pace. Unlike playing a weaker team it can make you complacent, and then you play worse than you’re capable.

 

[JFleegs]

Looks like puck is in the air so would have been rule inconclusive. Probably the right move not to challenge.

If you watch the video it’s pretty clear, but I wonder if there is another angle that could be more telling.

 

[Felonious Python]

boom

 

[LightningStrikes]

boom

That’s good right?

 

[Felonious Python]

That’s good right?

It's not two games, but it's more than nothing.

 

[Hoek]

Cue more salt, lol.

 

[Felonious Python]

Cue more salt, lol.

People are flipping out that McD isn't banned for life.

It wasn't a great hit, but it got penalized during the game.

 

[DrMartinVanNostrand]

That’s good right?

Is it? How are we going to get power plays now?

 

[Washed Up 29YearOld]

Buffalo fan- I hope you repeat, your team deserves it after so many playoff misfortunes. And it would be a great story after the CBJ sweep. CBJ locked down and played mostly trapping style in 2019 and CBJ were an underrated team after the deadline.
CBJ was a very good team at the time- no one can deny that. I think luck was fully on Columbus side and sometimes that's just how it works.

& I used to think Kucherov was a dirty player but my perspective changed (seeing him wear a cross sold it to me and I'm not religious). I think we as fans just like to hate on players at a personal level if they cross the line, but in reality if you met them they're a chill dude you can shoot the s**t with.

When you're skating in a competitive game, you're a different person on the ice than IRL. Kucherov seems like a decent guy in hindsight. I lose my cool all the time if I feel ***d, it just shows how much NK wants to win which I respect.

Only unlikeable to me in the past because perceived dirty plays from a few players, but all that signifies is his compete level, passion and desire to win- which is worthy of respect.

I'd realized that the only times that I felt Kucherov was dirty/borderline pretty much was retaliatory for a dirty play against his team or him. I can feel that, and as much as I've might had hated your team the past 2 yrs I think it'd be quite the success story to repeat after being swept 1st round 2 years ago.

A story of adversity and overcoming the odds based on a such an unexpected series beforehand.

Anyways, I'm glad Stamkos, AV, Hedman, & Sergachev, got the cup and some of their core- & Kucherov too. TBL and their fans deserved it especially after being an elite team for so long & being so close so many times. Very likable players. I think you're the favorites because how the TBL organization and its leadership has an uncanny way of instilling a winning culture. My money is on you this year. I wish Buffalo could be run like your org.

Tampa just finds ways to win and I deeply respect that.

Team of champions... City of champions!!!

Hope you go all the way brothers !! (and sisters)
(And let's try to take it easy next time we play & play like gentlemen )

With love and respect,
-A genuine hockey fan.

 

[Hoek]

& I used to think Kucherov was a dirty player but my perspective changed (seeing him wear a cross sold it to me and I'm not religious). I think we as fans just like to hate on players at a personal level if they cross the line, but in reality if you met them they're a chill dude you can shoot the s**t with.

When you're skating in a competitive game, you're a different person on the ice than IRL. Kucherov seems like a decent guy in hindsight. I lose my cool all the time if I feel ***d, it just shows how much NK wants to win which I respect.

Only unlikeable to me in the past because perceived dirty plays from a few players, but all that signifies is his compete level, passion and desire to win- which is worthy of respect.

I'd realized that the only times that I felt Kucherov was dirty/borderline pretty much was retaliatory for a dirty play against his team or him. I can feel that, and as much as I've might had hated your team the past 2 yrs I think it'd be quite the success story to repeat after being swept 1st round 2 years ago.

What he did in that Columbus sweep was pretty dirty and awful I won't make excuses for that. I was very upset with him. It looks like he has learned from that considering what he was able to do last year. At least I hope that is in the past. Glad you're able to look past it and not generalize it to the whole team. I feel like people get upset with our players for just trying to protect themselves and not be pushed around. They only look at the retaliation and not what led up to it.

 

[DrMartinVanNostrand]

If you watch the video it’s pretty clear, but I wonder if there is another angle that could be more telling.

As luck would have it, 2x Stanley Cup champion video coordinator Nigel Kirwan responded to this on Twitter.

 

[JFleegs]

As luck would have it, 2x Stanley Cup champion video coordinator Nigel Kirwan responded to this on Twitter.

Oh that’s really cool, the guy is really good at his job so I take his word for it.