We were all hoping to see a catastrophic turn around in Game 3, but unfortunately for us, and the Lightning, that was not the case. The Tampa Bay Lightning once again got off to a slow start in the opening 20 minutes, and the Panthers once again took an early lead. The Bolts did seem to get things going in the 2nd period as they scored two unanswered goals to take a 2-1 lead. That excitement was short lived as the Panthers would come storming back and score two goals of their own to take the lead once again. Tampa Bay was unable to mount a comeback and would eventually lose 5-3, falling behind 3-0 in the series. Is there still hope for a comeback in the series, or will the Panthers wrap things up in Game 4?
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9 Comments
Put a fork in them they are cooked. Lifelong lightning fan since they played the last game against my Hartford Whalers. Season ticket holder 2003 to 2009 so when the cup sitting on the glass, it was freaking amazing. Watch them win twice while deployed overseas in Japan. Come back to the states to watch this nonsense. Second period they discovered if we shoot from the point the puck goes in the net no more fancy passes third period more fancy passes. 😑 we have absolutely no defense whatsoever. I think Lilleberg must be like a -120 by now. The only person that deserves to be resigned is Stamkos, which, ironically, he becomes an unrestricted free agent by Sunday. It hurts, but I think we’re done.
I'm already thinking about next season Adam.
The Panthers aren't that great Adam. We are just that bad and not even trying and getting out coached.
I want to see the Lightning stop being politically-correct…and include more size in the top-six – and lineup in general. I'd want to see Tanner Jeannot, Nick Paul, and Austin Watson given important roles and assignments for these good reasons…
In their current "light-weight" combinations, the traditional Lightning "top six" are simply not hitting the speeds or showing the passing accuracy necessary to break through Florida's defensive structure. Shots are getting blocked & we're not getting solid footing around the high-slot. Contrast that with Florida who get their long-distance shots through traffic and routinely dangle pucks right in front of Andrei Vasilevskiy. Hence, the following "Hail Mary" is in order…
Place Tanner Jeannot on the top line with Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point. You don't need him dangling and sniping. Rather, you want him to be an "agent of chaos"…dropping Florida players, pinning them down, breaking into the high slot. Things that break Florida's structure and allow Kucherov and Point gaps to travel through & confused coverage to exploit.
Place Nick Paul on the second line with Duclair and Stamkos. The line won't necessarily face the tight coverage issues the top line faces. So you don't need Paul creating "chaos" – you just need him using that size to help push his speedy linemates through the neutral zone and help keep possession along the walls. I would not necessarily park Paul in the slot…because Duclair surprisingly works well there. That line would have speed (Duclair), muscle (Paul), and snipes (Stamkos)…and you can use that in any number of ways (and plays).
Place Austin Watson in the lineup…period. We all know about his size and "happy warrior" style of play. But many Tampa fans are unaware that in Nashville, Watson was renowned as a skilled shot-blocker and defensive forward. He practices shot-blocking with the same dedication and intensity Kucherov practices his passing. He has long experience covering for pinching defensemen in Nashville (something they did routinely with Josi & Ellis). You look at the ease with which Florida's shots from the point are going through traffic unchallenged (and unblocked)…and see the (risky) offensive opportunities Dumba/Hedman are getting…it's an ideal job for Watson. Think of him as a "seventh defenseman".
The fat lady is already singing…… It's over.
Panthers are just far superior. Even their goalie is as good as Vasy. Panthers have more speed, grit, strength, and will power
I'm sad that I can only watch game 4 live. I can't lie though, I gave up playoff hopes in January. Interested to see what happens in the off-season once FA opens up. The core still has some juice, if JBB can figure it out, they can go on more runs.
Adam i love ya but when they drew the panthers it was obvious this series wasn’t going to go their way. Panthers are clear cup contenders. The bolts just dont have the depth or chemistry to handle their relentless play style and on top of that you throw in bob who is a top tier playoff goalie. The bright spot of this series is Vasy who has done everything he can to keep them in games. The team in front of him just isnt getting it done. NOT ENOUGH PUCKS GETTING PUT ON THEIR NET. Over passing and over thinking is the death of this team
Still too mad. Will watch later or tomorrow. You brought up in the previous how, I'm paraphrasing here, "when this team has a moment where they really need to show up and make a statement with a shift, they're suddenly nowhere to be found" sums up this whole series perfectly.
I believe the Bolts didn't took the Panthers seriously and they got overconfident.
But more then that panthers 4th line producing key goals have been the difference thus far.