Michael Stuart: Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down: Panthers Make a Statement with Round 1 Coming

Seems to be a new cat in town.

TIhis s by far the series I'm most interested in watching. The Sam Bennett move is turning out to be Aces.

I don't put much stock in the score missing those pieces as the Champs were. However the Panthers are no joke and seem to really enjoy playing Bolts...

Going to be a great series.

Its now being reported by Chris Johnston that Hedman has been playing thru an injury that is limiting his mobility that he sustained on March 30th that will require off season surgery. He plans to continue to play thru the playoffs.

The Lightning will need him or else they won't go far in the play offs, he is the best Dman and still a great Dman while playing thru injury.

Series should be interesting and for the Lightning it will depend on the health of their start players returning. Cats seem hungry, Bolts have been going thru the motions. Now that the playoffs are here the Bolts better wake up and play their game.

Its now being reported by Chris Johnston that Hedman has been playing thru an injury that is limiting his mobility that he sustained on March 30th that will require off season surgery. He plans to continue to play thru the playoffs.

The Lightning will need him or else they won't go far in the play offs, he is the best Dman and still a great Dman while playing thru injury.

Series should be interesting and for the Lightning it will depend on the health of their start players returning. Cats seem hungry, Bolts have been going thru the motions. Now that the playoffs are here the Bolts better wake up and play their game.
- stammerman

I suspected this a while back and even posted about it - that Hedman was playing hurt. I wonder what it is? Ankle? It's gotta be something leg or foot related, based on the limited info we have.

If he's playing hobbled, then I don't like our chances for a deep run. Looks more and more like there won't be a repeat. Stamkos and Kucherov not at 100%. Hedman and possibly McDonagh banged up. Dressing pylons and rookies to shore up a crippled defense. Hedman is the most important player on this team not named Vasi.

Bolts are (frank)ed. This is the Cats' year to make a deep run and they will upset Tampa in the first round.

I suspected this a while back and even posted about it - that Hedman was playing hurt. I wonder what it is? Ankle? It's gotta be something leg or foot related, based on the limited info we have.

If he's playing hobbled, then I don't like our chances for a deep run. Looks more and more like there won't be a repeat. Stamkos and Kucherov not at 100%. Hedman and possibly McDonagh banged up. Dressing pylons and rookies to shore up a crippled defense. Hedman is the most important player on this team not named Vasi.

Bolts are (frank)ed. This is the Cats' year to make a deep run and they will upset Tampa in the first round.
- GalacticStone

I remember back in 2009 the Red Wings were trying to repeat as Cup champs. They had a 3-2 lead in the SCF but couldn't win it. Too many injuries to too many key players did them in. Lidstrom, Rafalski, Datsyuk, Hossa were "playing" but not even close to being healthy.

It's why repeating as Cup champs is so hard. The hard miles add up. It's not impossible. Just rare.

I suspected this a while back and even posted about it - that Hedman was playing hurt. I wonder what it is? Ankle? It's gotta be something leg or foot related, based on the limited info we have.

If he's playing hobbled, then I don't like our chances for a deep run. Looks more and more like there won't be a repeat. Stamkos and Kucherov not at 100%. Hedman and possibly McDonagh banged up. Dressing pylons and rookies to shore up a crippled defense. Hedman is the most important player on this team not named Vasi.

Bolts are (frank)ed. This is the Cats' year to make a deep run and they will upset Tampa in the first round.
- GalacticStone

As always not so much injuries ... they always happen .. more of your depth to compensate... up front Bolts can move on with the offensive players they have.. harder yes but not a huge ask...

The backend .. well that's a different story. Hard to see them moving on with Hedman slowed.. along with the lack of viable options.

Just a drag this division was such a blowtorch this yr.

I suspected this a while back and even posted about it - that Hedman was playing hurt. I wonder what it is? Ankle? It's gotta be something leg or foot related, based on the limited info we have.

If he's playing hobbled, then I don't like our chances for a deep run. Looks more and more like there won't be a repeat. Stamkos and Kucherov not at 100%. Hedman and possibly McDonagh banged up. Dressing pylons and rookies to shore up a crippled defense. Hedman is the most important player on this team not named Vasi.

Bolts are (frank)ed. This is the Cats' year to make a deep run and they will upset Tampa in the first round.
- GalacticStone

Galactic don't give up yet. The cats still have to prove they can beat the Lightning even if the Bolts are not at there best as they still have experience and skill and should make for a hard fought series. And oh yeah they are still the defending Stanley cup championship until someone beats them.

I suspected this a while back and even posted about it - that Hedman was playing hurt. I wonder what it is? Ankle? It's gotta be something leg or foot related, based on the limited info we have.

If he's playing hobbled, then I don't like our chances for a deep run. Looks more and more like there won't be a repeat. Stamkos and Kucherov not at 100%. Hedman and possibly McDonagh banged up. Dressing pylons and rookies to shore up a crippled defense. Hedman is the most important player on this team not named Vasi.

Bolts are (frank)ed. This is the Cats' year to make a deep run and they will upset Tampa in the first round.
- GalacticStone

I was at the game 04/29 during pp Heddy barely moved off the blue line, could see he was limited, Monday is last game for Bolts will be interesting to see what he’s able to do starting next Saturday in playoffs

Season ticket holders in Tampa have been told they can attend one game in first round if they chose to, I was assigned game 4, can’t wait!!!

Statements are made IN the playoffs and that's the only time.

Statements are made IN the playoffs and that's the only time.
- Shady1962

- gergeswillems

There is no momentum, game to game, period to period, shift to shift. It’s all on the fly!

Whatever this series may be, it’ll damn sure be entertaining.

Whatever this series may be, it’ll damn sure be entertaining.
- Ratsreign

It will be tough but most of the series look like a great ride. First round always 👍🏻

It will be tough but most of the series look like a great ride. First round always 👍🏻
- Justbecause

First round is always the best. So many games going on at once. OT and multiple OT games. Unheralded players coming up big. Goalies stealing games. Upsets. 🙂

What did the fight score card end up looking like?

Who won which fights?

I turned it off before the Pier-6 brawl started.

First round is always the best. So many games going on at once. OT and multiple OT games. Unheralded players coming up big. Goalies stealing games. Upsets. 🙂
- gergeswillems

Well said! Can’t wait hoping 05/14 not 05/15…come on Nhl don’t make us wait!

What did the fight score card end up looking like?

Who won which fights?

I turned it off before the Pier-6 brawl started.
- GalacticStone

Buddy why u always turning games off, there is always something u can learn, in a blowout who keeps playing hard, who quits…unless it’s work or personal come on!

Season ticket holders in Tampa have been told they can attend one game in first round if they chose to, I was assigned game 4, can’t wait!!!
- Justbecause

It's getting asinine that the arena isn't completely open yet and that they are still wussyfooting around with the ridiculous restrictions.

Maroon suspended 1 game, no Stamkos or Kucherov, doubtful for all 3 of McDonagh, Hedman and Rutta. Now Barclay Goodrow out indefinitely with upper body injury (concussion???).

I say sit Point and Vasy not worry about first round home ice... field an AHL roster Monday try to get healthy over the coming week then throw all the good bodies we have at the playoffs.

Going to be interesting to say the least in Lightning land.

It's getting asinine that the arena isn't completely open yet and that they are still wussyfooting around with the ridiculous restrictions.
- Izzo

Just happy to go!

Buddy why u always turning games off, there is always something u can learn, in a blowout who keeps playing hard, who quits…unless it’s work or personal come on!
- Justbecause

I watch games to be entertained.

When the game stops being entertaining, I shut it off.

Lately, that has been more often than not.

At this rate, I might not even watch the playoffs.

It's getting asinine that the arena isn't completely open yet and that they are still wussyfooting around with the ridiculous restrictions.
- Izzo

Another (frank)sock who watched a few YouTube videos and thinks he knows better than doctors and scientists.

I'm sure your bad take is rooted in something other than ignorance and jackassery.

Another (frank)sock who watched a few YouTube videos and thinks he knows better than doctors and scientists.

I'm sure your bad take is rooted in something other than ignorance and jackassery.
- GalacticStone

Another (frank)sock who watched a few YouTube videos and thinks he knows better than doctors and scientists.

I'm sure your bad take is rooted in something other than ignorance and jackassery.

Yes, I used your exact quote again on purpose. Why? Because you said literally nothing that refutes what I said and it can very much be applied back at you.

I am a scientist, do you know more than me? Can you show me the research done on the probability of another big spike in cases after the majority of the population has already either had the virus or the vaccine? Of course you can't because there is no such research since anyone who understands even basic math knows why. There is no longer a valid justification for it. I'm still waiting for that big spike from the superbowl that all "your" youtube videos told you was gonna happen. Do you question that? No, you just continue to spout non sense, literally with no reason other than blind faith. Oh but you can trash talk like your back in a middle school lunchroom, you sure are a sharp one.

Just run along, you know nothing.