Indeed. I think the part that makes it kinda difficult for us fans is that we all know the Isles didn't play their best hockey in this series. They showed flashes, but in games like tonight, they made some poor puck decisions and fumbled pucks in the neutral zone early. The shorthanded goal was a killer where one mistake can sink an entire season, but this team is undermanned in terms of talent. The margin for error is small when you tuen down offensive takent in favor of vets who play roles. We're so close though
- keaner17

Well remember tampa is probably, well is, the best team in the league and they had a lot to do with the outcome.....still a missed opportunity

As good a job as Lou and Barry have done with this team, they have such a tough job this offseason and both need to make adjustments in their thinking and how they build this team if they want to get past an elite team like Tampa.
- ses111

I wonder whether Tampa will be able to keep the team together next season. They will probably lose someone good to Seattle. And despite that, they may still have cap problems, unless Kucherov is LTIR again during the regular season.

Well remember tampa is probably, well is, the best team in the league and they had a lot to do with the outcome.....still a missed opportunity
- Upstate_isles

They sure are... I thought Colorado was, but I think TB is the best one. I don't think Habs will win it.

Keep the head up : you faced the best one out there. Wasn't a walk in the park at all for TB either. Losing by 1 goal in a #7 is heartbreaking for sure...

Well remember tampa is probably, well is, the best team in the league and they had a lot to do with the outcome.....still a missed opportunity
- Upstate_isles

They are, however; the Isles team that played Boston in game six could have rolled through Tampa like Sherman through Georgia IMO. They were tired, battered and disheveled during this series.
Plus, at the risk of beating that poor battered horse, the Isles needed just one goal tonight to have a chance. They made some lineup/roster decisions that made that a whole lot tougher

I wonder whether Tampa will be able to keep the team together next season. They will probably lose someone good to Seattle. And despite that, they may still have cap problems, unless Kucherov is LTIR again during the regular season.
- JohnScammo

Well no not even with the money they have coming off the books they’ll be 6 million dollars over the cap so unless players pay Tampa to play for them that’s not going to happen.

I wonder whether Tampa will be able to keep the team together next season. They will probably lose someone good to Seattle. And despite that, they may still have cap problems, unless Kucherov is LTIR again during the regular season.
- JohnScammo

Tampa will find a way. I'm more worried about how the Isles will close the talent gap. It'd not just Tampa. Other teams will get better as well and one day even the Leafs might figure things out.

They are, however; the Isles team that played Boston in game six could have rolled through Tampa like Sherman through Georgia IMO. They were tired, battered and disheveled during this series.
Plus, at the risk of beating that poor battered horse, the Isles needed just one goal tonight to have a chance. They made some lineup/roster decisions that made that a whole lot tougher
- keaner17

99 out of 100 times, you are not beating a team like Tampa with Leo on your 1st line and a banged up JGP and nothing from Zajec. Isles may have still lost playing Wally and playing Palms on the 1st line but I would have sure liked to see it. Barry might have even slept a little better from trying it. Just makes no sense to me.

They are, however; the Isles team that played Boston in game six could have rolled through Tampa like Sherman through Georgia IMO. They were tired, battered and disheveled during this series.
Plus, at the risk of beating that poor battered horse, the Isles needed just one goal tonight to have a chance. They made some lineup/roster decisions that made that a whole lot tougher
- keaner17

Yea its a war of attrition

They sure are... I thought Colorado was, but I think TB is the best one. I don't think Habs will win it.

Keep the head up : you faced the best one out there. Wasn't a walk in the park at all for TB either. Losing by 1 goal in a #7 is heartbreaking for sure...
- MightyPee

4 lines and 3 top d and the best goalie out there and they are 20 million over and the isles still should have won

4 lines and 3 top d and the best goalie out there and they are 20 million over and the isles still should have won
- Upstate_isles

Giving up one goal on the road in game 7 you have to love your chances. Vasy had such an easy night a washed up DP back in the day could have won.

Giving up one goal on the road in game 7 you have to love your chances. Vasy had such an easy night a washed up DP back in the day could have won.
- ses111

Third period was the effort they needed all game and even that wasn't enough

Giving up one goal on the road in game 7 you have to love your chances. Vasy had such an easy night a washed up DP back in the day could have won.
- ses111

This I agree with. Tampa played an excellent complete game but the Islanders sure made it easy for them for a couple of periods. I think varly has been great at times for these playoffs and not so great other times but tonight he was awesome. The team in front of him wasn’t imo. I’ll give Tampa credit for stifling then but meh the islanders and more importantly their line up didn’t push it. The love affair with Zajac since game five of Boston is completely inexplicable to me.

Third period was the effort they needed all game and even that wasn't enough
- Upstate_isles

It's almost like they never really recovered from that mini breakaway from Beau early in the game. Just seem to have no energy and drive and no interest or ability to make plays.

This I agree with. Tampa played an excellent complete game but the Islanders sure made it easy for them for a couple of periods. I think varly has been great at times for these playoffs and not so great other times but tonight he was awesome. The team in front of him wasn’t imo. I’ll give Tampa credit for stifling then but meh the islanders and more importantly their line up didn’t push it. The love affair with Zajac since game five of Boston is completely inexplicable to me.
- Cptmjl

Let's be honest Cpt it's not very difficult to shutdown this Isles offense. We saw the Canes do it and no Leo on the 1st line. Varly did everything he could and what sunk the Isles was the offense like I thought would be downfall.


I'll be on my deathbed and not understand the lineup decisions during this series. I'm thrilled with Barry as coach but if I meet Barry like I did with Ledecky, I would say Barry you are an all time great coach but no idea what you were thinking with Leo on the 1st line and no Wally at all.

You gave them one hell of a fight, your guys can keep their head high.

A game 7 loss (by one goal) against the reigning Cup champs is nothing to be embarrassed about.

Still pissed

Still pissed
- Upstate_isles

It’s going to take the summer for me.

first time in history a game seven was won with a SHG! unreal. I would like to see Greene, Komarov and Zajac replaced with younger faster players. Lee and Wally are major upgrades IMO and should be regulars next season.

It’s going to take the summer for me.
- Cptmjl

Going to take getting to the Cup.

first time in history a game seven was won with a SHG! unreal. I would like to see Greene, Komarov and Zajac replaced with younger faster players. Lee and Wally are major upgrades IMO and should be regulars next season.
- LItransplant44

Greene was great for us the last couple of seasons but I agree he’s getting long in the tooth he was worn down the last two series. Komarov should not be in the lineup when we already have a complete fourth line. That’s the only place that guy belongs. Period. Zajac I never want to see in an islanders sweater ever again. He had one great game and one decent game in the playoffs I have no idea what he was doing in the lineup this entire series? He was not good but there he was.

Greene was great for us the last couple of seasons but I agree he’s getting long in the tooth he was worn down the last two series. Komarov should not be in the lineup when we already have a complete fourth line. That’s the only place that guy belongs. Period. Zajac I never want to see in an islanders sweater ever again. He had one great game and one decent game in the playoffs I have no idea what he was doing in the lineup this entire series? He was not good but there he was.
- Cptmjl

I agree. Greene really showed his age and the same for Zajac. Even Ross would have looked like an upgrade over Zajac.

Lou and Barry have to adjust to more young players and especially at forward. Bolduc has a shot on defense as Lou and Barry seem to trust young dmen over young forwards.

Didn’t realize it at the time but that short handed goal was another too many men on the ice penalty. Like a really bad one

Thanks Isles!! Now we have to watch the boring Habs against the boring Bolts. I was really hoping to see some Finals games in your rocking building with REAL fans!! Not the fake fans in Tampa or the whiny Hab fans that cry every single time one of their precious players are touched. Hard to root for the Isles as a Flyers fan, but like the way your team plays especially in your home barn. What is up with home fans throwing shyte on the ice when the home team wins though?? Saw it when the Isles won the other night and the Tampon Bay fans did it last night. Kind of stupid if you ask me. Just hope the Flyers can make some changes and compete with you guys next season although I guess the Flyers actually played the Isles pretty tough this past season. Congrats on a good season and I know how tough it is to lose a game 7 in the conference finals by a goal(Flyers did it in 2000 and 2004). Onward and upward!

It’s going to take the summer for me.
- Cptmjl

1 game away from the final against a team that's good but beatable and 35 years of poop and they lose 1 0 on athe only shorthanded goal against all season. Just disappointing

For all the non-Isles expressing butthurt over the Lightning - have fun on the golf course. Islanders fans are the only ones who have earned the right to female dog about the Lightning. Isles gave the Lightning the fight of their lives and no other team in the last two playoff seasons have pushed them to seven games. Isles gave the Lightning their toughest fight. Trust me, Lightning fans aged 10 years in this series and there is nothing but respect for the Isles. We don't want to see them again any time soon. Once this Lightning LTIR-skirting roster is finally broken up, the Isles will remain the team to beat in the East.

For the clown above who said Tampa fans are fake - respect your elders, son. I was a hockey fan when you were a dirty thought in your absentee-daddy's head. Show me on the doll where Tampa hurt you. Tampa is living rent-free in so many heads.

Tip of the hat to the Isles fans in this forum for tolerating this Lightning bumhole and being civil even when I didn't deserve it.