GDT: #6| Tampa Bay Lightning @ New York Islanders | September 17th | 8:00 PM | F/OTL 2-1

[Satan'sIsland81]

Between the 17 game point streak, losing just one game against each of Florida and Washington through two rounds. Winning game 7 against the Flyers. Eberle's OT winner and the Varly celebration. Best season in 3 decades. Just makes it even tougher because we were that close and you ever know when you will be back again.

 

[SI90]

Damn, Captain Lee about to make me cry

 

[Strummergas]

barzal knows it was his guy who scored...plain and simple.
he will only improve and we had other chances to win...like a freakin break away

And yet it was the 2nd time these playoffs that he blew coverage leading to a goal. So again, he could feel bad all he wants about it, but if he doesn't start improving that aspect of the game, it doesn't help anyone including himself.

 

[Bones45]

Reset.

We want Tampa to dismantle Dallas. Broom time.

 

[Duanesutter12]

Man, I was really thinking if they could have put one in they'd have won game 7 too. They've been sub-par since halfway thru the Philly series, and tonight it was like it was coming back. Cal started it tonight with a great physical shift. But I attribute that to Boychuk's return and setting a good example of keeping it simple and calm and playing more north-south. Dobson looked good. Varly was great. Too bad. But for what it's worth, the dynasty team lost in this round ("semi-finals" back then) 3 straight years, then lost in the quarters, then the semis again before finally starting the Cup run the next year. I like the core. I like that Dobson and Sorokin are coming in. And we've got a GM and coaching staff that will make the right decisions moving forward. Lots to be excited about moving forward.

Oh, and BTW, everyone's favorite trade chip was our best defenseman these playoffs.

Great post, you summed it up perfectly as always! I was thinking the same thing..... Just poke one in and we take game 7. We were the better team tonight. You just can't look at SOG to determing whether a Trotz coached team played well or not. We eliminated good looks and were skating like we did in the earlier rounds. Such a great effort all around!!

 

[dlawong]

I think he’ll learn. NBC had a shot of him after the game and he looked completely dejected and almost in tears.

He will learn from this and that is how he can get better. He will be fine and it is good that he looks dejected because that shows me that he is competitive. At least he knows that he has a team that does not quit. It will be a shame if he chooses to sign an offer sheet to go to another team not battling as hard as the Isles did in this series.

I am glad to see Dobson got the call but yes wish it was not Pelech who got hurt. The kid handled himself well in his 1st NHL playoff game.

 

[chico19341]

When does next season start?

 

[thegoldenyear]

f*** this guy so hard

He just chirped back at me on Twitter - he’s always a chippy bastard, this guy - but to be fair he complemented NYI in another tweet in the same five-minute window.

 

[JKP]

I think this is Tampa’s year they clearly are doing what it takes to win.

I dunno. We just beat the ever loving shit out of them and they get no rest. I think they’re gonna be in tough against a real hot goalie and may not have a lot of gas left in the tank.

 

[drhiii]

Thanks man. I think Barzal is going through those growing pains that MacKinnon went through before living up to the hype. This was a heartbreaker but we nearly forced a game 7 vs the SCF Favorite without our best defensemen.

Heres to a quick turnaround and a good next season. I actually picked Avs-Isles in my bracket for the cup. Not this year, our windows are just opening.

You bet. Isles became my #1. And were when I lived in NYC during their great Cup years (performing on broadway among other things). My go-to sports watching when time permitted.

Agree re: Barzal and MacK. He will find his way for sure. But the Ozone entries were cringeworthy because we have lived with that here.

Anywayz, onward for you guys.

Wierd sidenote.. we have a close friend, trainer for the Avs since they moved to CO. My brother got a pair of Varley's pads right before he left, also a goalie. Man, I wanted Varley to stand on his head and beat TB. He just about did.

 

[Jethro]

When's our next game against the Rags?

 

[KidThatWonTheCalder]

And yet it was the 2nd time these playoffs that he blew coverage leading to a goal. So again, he could feel bad all he wants about it, but if he doesn't start improving that aspect of the game, it doesn't help anyone including himself.

It’s honestly very surprising to me that Trotz hasn’t addressed it. He is always lazy getting back on the play. Doesn’t seem like something he’d let slide.

 

[The Lighthouse]

On Twitter it's funny seeing the "Tampa saved hockey" hot takes, considering the Islanders played some amazing hockey to get there.

Maybe they thought it was boring because they only watched during Islanders power plays.

 

[12Dog]

Reset.

We want Tampa to dismantle Dallas. Broom time.

Not me
Eff TB
Cannot root for this team

 

[Barz1]

When does next season start?

Tentative--- Dec 1, but prob later than that

 

[DerekKingSnipes]

i’m already ready for Lou to get to work and improve this team over the next few months.

It’s going to be interesting what they do as far as cap and how Lou figures this out. I’d imagine Leddy is traded just purely from cap considerations. If he is traded I’d like to see Greene back for sure.

 

[xECK29x]

 

[DerekKingSnipes]

I dunno. We just beat the ever loving shit out of them and they get no rest. I think they’re gonna be in tough against a real hot goalie and may not have a lot of gas left in the tank.

I think they match up well with Dallas though but your right we will see if league screws them and makes them play game 1 Saturday night.

 

[Strummergas]

It’s honestly very surprising to me that Trotz hasn’t addressed it. He is always lazy getting back on the play. Doesn’t seem like something he’d let slide.

You can lead a horse to water....

Anyway, I'm not overly worried about him. He's improved other aspects of his game since he began his career, and he's a smart player. He's just got to break out of a few bad habits and learn to simplify his game when needed.

 

[Bones45]

Not me
Eff TB
Cannot root for this team

I can understand ya.

 

[MetsJetsIsles22]

what a weird time....usually a team has some time to lick their wounds, heal up, and everyone knows move wll be made. the isles just lost, and someone could be traded tomorrow.

this is a really close team that defintely plays for one another with a solid lockerro0m. whatecer changes come, they will be very interesting to see.

how do you replace leddy? some will say slide in dobson after one game, but realisically that wont work
how do we get a scorer here and someone who can keep up with barzal?

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

THANK YOU AND I LOVE YOU THOMAS GREISS

 

[periferal]

THANK YOU AND I LOVE YOU THOMAS GREISS

yes. And Matt Martin.

 

[doublechili]

f*** this guy so hard

Classic "data guy" who is wrong more than he's right and thinks a highly randomized activity like hockey, so dependent on emotion and physicality, can be quantified. He's an idiot. I'd love to see him interview Trotz. Actually, Trotz is too much of a gentleman. Maybe Torts. Hopefully he'll fade to obscurity soon. Either that or he'll get a position high up in government.

 

[Tres Peleches]

Reset.

We want Tampa to dismantle Dallas. Broom time.

... why? I want Tampa to get f***ed up by the Stars

 

[SI90]

One huge bright spot is how Dobson Played in a huge moment.