This series is far from being over. Remember when everyone counted the Hawks out in the past only to win the series in 6 or 7 games. It's all about momentum and it changes on a dime.
- BGKarras

Agreed that this particular series is far from over but this Lightning team will never win a Cup

Tampa looks awful. They suddenly forgot how to play defense or did they overlook Columbus and not take them seriously?
- paulr

Columbus making them look bad. Have to give them credit. Jackets are contesting every puck. Hitting the poop out of Hedman every shift.

Watching the Jackets, Duchene is in beast mode.

what if stan signs him?

Duchene-Toews-Cozens
the cat-Strome-Kane
Saad-UFA-Kahun
Caggulia-Kampt-Kubalik

Send AA for picks, or trade Saad for defense and put AA on the wing.

Thought Stan once liked Duchene
- ikeane

Before we start planning for the parade next June, what about the defense corps?

Guys who have won multiple Cups play for themselves, and each other, long before they play for a coach.
- scottak

We get you don't like JC, but you can't discount the fact that many -if not all - off the players have said that they like the new coach and the fact that he communicates with everyone. He likely does not command nearly as much respect as Q, but he did have them playing well after the initial shock.

The boos come out.

If TB loses and pulls Vasilevski look out CLB .Domingue was no slough when Vasilevski was hurt .
Funny all the regular season Record holders for points win's etc. in hockey baseball did not win the title that year . TB still has Rutta ,how could they lose
- oldduffman

We may see Domingue to start the 3rd period.

Not saying TB is anywhere near as bad as we were two years ago, but so far this CBJ-TB series looks a lot like the CHI-NSH series. CBJ just out working TB in all zones.

Doesn't hurt that they have a hot PP right now either.
- Chunk

I was thinking the same thing about the ‘17 CHI-NSH series comparable to what we’re witnessing going down in TB so far. Columbus has shown up gritty and committed to doing whatever it takes.

Columbus making them look bad. Have to give them credit. Jackets are contesting every puck. Hitting the poop out of Hedman every shift.
- Elbows15

No doubt Columbus is playing well and playing playoff hockey, which Tampa isn't so far. And perhaps Columbus is making Tampa look awful? Personally I think tampa wants to play like they did in the regular season and not have to work like playoff hockey demands.

That Islanders 4th line is like the friggin Hanson brothers out there. Enjoyable to watch.

No doubt Columbus is playing well and playing playoff hockey, which Tampa isn't so far. And perhaps Columbus is making Tampa look awful? Personally I think tampa wants to play like they did in the regular season and not have to work like playoff hockey demands.
- paulr

Or it could be TB is getting too caught up in trying to change the way they play. Jackets are denying everything. Clogging up the neutral zone and winning the puck races when TB does dump it in. Jackets zone exits have been textbook with quick passes and puck support.

Its like I always use to say about the Hawks. In the playoffs, the Hawks hit back. They had the guys to do it. Playoff Sharp was a nasty piece of work. He got sticky come playoff time. TB has some guys to do it but it could be taking them away from the overall game. IDK.

Yeah....who the hell wants to be stuck with Hughes. Might as well not even pick anyone
- PatShart

The point is that Hughes is not the style of play whom the team needs. You can toss out your sarcasm and like the type of player Cozens or Dach provides. I have seen enough comments from you in past months to know that
you have a solid understanding about hockey developments. We do not want a small jockey in Hughes and you know that. I do not doubt his skill but he is not whom we want as a consolation. I am certain that you will find more fans on this site who would rather we land someone else.

Or it could be TB is getting too caught up in trying to change the way they play. Jackets are denying everything. Clogging up the neutral zone and winning the puck races when TB does dump it in. Jackets zone exits have been textbook with quick passes and puck support.

Its like I always use to say about the Hawks. In the playoffs, the Hawks hit back. They had the guys to do it. Playoff Sharp was a nasty piece of work. He got sticky come playoff time. TB has some guys to do it but it could be taking them away from the overall game. IDK.
- Elbows15

Columbus has a lot of talent on the rosters. They underachieved big time. Maybe they are figuring it out.

Columbus has a lot of talent on the rosters. They underachieved big time. Maybe they are figuring it out.
- bhawks2241

No doubt. The guy who always impresses me from the Jackets is Savard. Every time I watch him, he stands out. Nothing fancy in his game. Just always seems to be in the right spot. Plays physical without running around.

He is the type of guy who would end up being one of my favs if he was a Hawks.

Columbus has a lot of talent on the rosters. They underachieved big time. Maybe they are figuring it out.
- bhawks2241

This is true

Their forward depth is insane and they have 2 true #1 defenseman

For all the love TB's D-men get, they still have Rutta and Giradi manning two of the 3 slots on the right side. They really are missing Stralman.

For all the love TB's D-men get, they still have Rutta and Giradi manning two of the 3 slots on the right side. They really are missing Stralman.
- Elbows15

Pens Islander game getting heated!! Love playoff hockey.

Islanders get a penalty on a post goal scrum. I hate NHL officiating.....

For all the love TB's D-men get, they still have Rutta and Giradi manning two of the 3 slots on the right side. They really are missing Stralman.
- Elbows15

Looked like a high head shot by Joseph on Warensky.

#Breadman!

LOL Rutta so pathetic...

Insane how quiet that stadium is

#Breadman!
- 35Tony0

Yep, and he embarrassed Rutta while doing it.

The point is that Hughes is not the style of play whom the team needs. You can toss out your sarcasm and like the type of player Cozens or Dach provides. I have seen enough comments from you in past months to know that
you have a solid understanding about hockey developments. We do not want a small jockey in Hughes and you know that. I do not doubt his skill but he is not whom we want as a consolation. I am certain that you will find more fans on this site who would rather we land someone else.
- jhawk59

So you wouldn't want a Gaudreau or Clayton Keller on your team. Or Kane and Panarin types either...they dont reach 6ft tall

Hughes is not a consolation, sorry.

Agreed that this particular series is far from over but this Lightning team will never win a Cup
- SimpleJack

I hope you are wrong about this. I have Tampa winning the cup this year. If Cooper and company don't figure it out quickly they will be golfing soon enough. If they did lose I think it would be the biggest upset of the entire playoffs.

I hope you are wrong about this. I have Tampa winning the cup this year. If Cooper and company don't figure it out quickly they will be golfing soon enough. If they did lose I think it would be the biggest upset of the entire playoffs.
- BGKarras

Kucherov could get suspended, if he does and if Tampa aren't ready to play again you could be right.

Defense, good coaching and hard work win playoff games. So far Columbus is ahead in all three categories.

Nikita Krucherov lost his uh, er....composure...

If by miracle Hughes drops, and before any trades/FA, I'd be rather happy with a top 9 of -
Caggulia - Toews - Kane
Debrincat- Strome - Hughes
Saad - AA - Kahun

Sign a guy like Bellemare for the 4th line
Bellemare- Kampf - xxxx