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Battle of Florida: Round 2, Game 3

May 21, 2022, 10:32 PM ET [63 Comments]
Matt Ross
Florida Panthers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Game 2 was about the worst way to lose that I can think of. It still bothers me replaying it in my mind. I would have preferred they were outplayed and down by a goal or two and lose that way, instead of being in the game and losing at the last second. To be so close to staying alive for another period and fighting it out in OT, only to have it snatched away at the last second because of a very poor defensive decision…it’s just maddening.

I enjoyed reading through all the comments from both Panthers and Lightning fans on the last blog. Everyone pretty much nailed it with their observations regarding both Tampa and Florida’s performances.

I had a couple more to throw out there…

I don’t feel like going into the low hanging fruit of the power(less) play (which is now at 0-25), top players not reporting for duty, inability to get bodies to the net and disrupt Vasi, general lack of intensity, and the other recurring themes that have been aggravating.

What Game 2 showed me was was the below:

1. Tampa Is Winning the Psychological Warfare

It seemed like every few minutes a Lightning player was making his way to the dressing room to be evaluated after blocking a shot.

Tampa was an absolute machine in this department in Game 2. They had 24 blocked shots, four of which came from their 32-year old captain, Steven Stamkos. Nothing boosts a team like a guy(s) selling out to block a shot, and when you see your captain laying everything on the line to help the team, that just charges everyone up even more and everyone on Tampa followed suit.

On the other end of the ice, blocked shots demoralize and frustrate the attacking team. I remember seeing a clip of Jerome Bettis talking about Earl Campbell and how a hard-running/physical running back can mentally wear down a defense because they know every snap that he’s coming back for more again, and again, and again…

I think blocking shots in hockey can have a similar effect. In the Panthers case, it’s hard enough to figure Vasi out, but now you have to contend with a team in front of him that’s willing to - and skilled at - stepping into any shooting lane to take away your chance before it even gets to the goalie.

2. Florida Is Being Out-Coached

Despite some shaky points during the regular season, Andrew Brunette has done an overall good job as the (“interim”) head coach of the Panthers. But I wonder if a lack of playoff experience in a head coaching role is showing here.

The power play woes and what seems like a stubbornness to try something new in that department is an example of why I feel this way. Not to mention a lack of in-game adjustments like changing up the lines to get a different look, etc.

On the opposite bench, Jon Cooper has multiple years of postseason experience and two Stanley Cups to boot. It seems as though he has his players ready to go and properly executing their game plan, despite missing a huge piece in Brayden Point and being a bit of a “weakened” Tampa team than we’re used to seeing.

Now, it’s not fair to blame these two losses solely on Brunette. The players carry a lot of responsibility here. I guess the question to ask is if the players are being properly prepared and put in the best position for success (line combos, defensive pairings and special teams scheme)? And if not, is there an understanding of what’s wrong and willingness to take a chance and mix things up?
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The Cats have hit the trifecta in terms of bad news heading into Game 3. They are down 2-0, on the road, and playing an afternoon game (which is never good for them).

But a saving grace is that, despite Marchy (which has been a tough loss), no one is out with injury.

Per Jameson Olive, the lines on Saturday morning looked like this:



Personally, I don’t know how Mamin isn’t in the lineup. Florida needs a guy that can play the game he played when given a shot in the Washington series. Someone has to step up and be a spark here, and since it doesn’t look like any of the guys you pay the big bucks to be difference makers are going to do it, it has to be the supporting cast (again).

Inject Mamin’s sandpaper into the lineup and let him battle along the boards, bust his butt on the forecheck, use his body, crash the net and get in the faces of TBL players.

It might be a ridiculous statement but I would also make Weegar a healthy scratch. I’d replace him with Lindbohm (plays solid in his own end) or Hagg. I trust those two guys to keep it simple and not try to do too much, which has been Weegar’s downfall as of late.

Hey, there’s still plenty left in this series. However, lose Game 3 and it’s probably curtains for the Cats.

Time to get after it…Go Panthers!

Time to show everyone the Panthers have a “Huge Pair” and comeback in this series!



[Image from Florida Panthers Virtual Vault]
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