How far does Tampa go in the playoffs this year?

[Chips]

Didn’t Tampa finish hot the latter half, or did they cool off again? I would not be surprised at all if they upset the Panthers

 

[flying squirrel]

How exactly did they almost pull off a three-peat? They were completely dominated by the Avalanche, the only reason it went 6 is because they started interfering constantly and the NHL didn't call them on it because they wanted a longer series.

Because it's was Lightning 12 straight playoff series in 3 years, that's why

• Many sports fans, think going to 12 straight NHL playoff series in 3 years time, is pretty darn close to 3-peating.
• World doesn't succumb to any Ave's fans perceptions of what is what, or any Lightning's fan either.
• Lightning went to 12 straight playoff series during salary cap era, and you question someone mentioning Lightning almost 3-peating? Not sure if "Being vain" covers this thinking Ave's were the only part in Lightning's 3-peat historical quest, and they hold keys to, if someone can say Lightning almost 3-peated or not. But each their own...
  
• But it's understandable where any fan could be blinded by team bias, it happens. That might cause any fan to think it's all about "Colorado" and nothing else.
• Plus, if Ave's as yearly "Cup" favorites the previous 6 yrs or so: wouldn't have left Lightning alone waiting on "Stanley's Cup" dance floor so much. Ave fans might have better understanding how hard going to 12 straight series is to do, especially during salary cap era.
• What Lightning did was very difficult to do and that achievement deserved all the historical attention 12 straight playoff series got.
• Congrats on the "Cup" win Ave's, and your team deserves kudos for that. But lets keep it real here, one should probably feel fortunate Ave's played a lesser Lightning in that SCF. Compared to well-oiled machines Lightning team that just went back-to-back the previous 2 years. Made a post somewhere around here that spells Ave's "Fortune" out those playoffs, if ya need more info on this.
• Nothing personal against Ave's organization, and they should be very proud of that "Cup", but that SCF's will mostly be remembered as Lightning almost winning 3 "Cups in-a-row. When it's discussed in a historical context.

That SCF was Lightning's final curtain call after 6 ECF"s, 4 SCF's and 2 "Cups" in 8 yrs time. Will see if Lightning's core, within core's 3rd window grouping, can resemble the well-oiled machine Lightning that won back-to-back soon enough. Ave's also have chance to make consecutive deep playoff runs with core they have now, and could maybe reach playoff successes Lightning reached from 2015-2023. Time will tell on those fronts though,.....