Cooper is whiny phucking lawyer who pukes out stupid words all the time. The Lightning lost because the Avs played a better game overall. Period. One bad call or noncall won't decide a game if you play 60 minutes better than the other team. I call it like it is. The loss sucked for Tampa, but Tampa lost because the Avs beat them. Not the refs. Ask Calgary fans if they have any sympathy for Tampa. A bad call got Tampa their first Cup.

At this point, the threepeat only happens if the Lightning pull off a historic comeback of epic proportions - which would be fitting for the first threepeat of the salary cap era. It would start with a win tonight. From day one in the playoffs, I said that this wasn't the Lightning's year. Lost too much depth due to the cap, injuries, the rest of the league watching tape and figuring the Bolts out - it just wasn't gonna happen this year. I stick to that. I'd love to be proved wrong though, but I don't expect to.

I expect the Avs to win the Cup on their home ice tonight. Let me be the first to congratulate them. Sakic built a solid contender and they deserve it. I thought the Leafs would beat the Bolts in the first round, so these last two series have been gravy for me. When Point went down two rounds ago, I said that's it, we're done. Now, watching this Avs team, I don't think Point would matter much, TBH.

Kuch, Stammer, Vasi, and Hedman - prove me wrong.
- GalacticStone

A healthy Point would definitely make a big difference. He’s been arguably the most clutch player in the last two playoffs, and can single-handedly breakout of the zone cause of his speed. But it’s hard to hope for everyone to be healthy given the amount of games the Lightning have played these past three seasons.

Didn’t get to watch the game but looks like Palat continues to step up big time. I’m supposed to be working for game six and seven if it happens. Will definitely call out to watch if we end up winning the next one.

Another that goes right through Kuemper
- Jixer19

Thank your gm. The difference will be in goal.

If the Avs do win the cup, will be the lowest SV% from a goaltender since the late 80s, seems fine.... *knocks on wood*
- Jixer19

To me its 50/50 at this point. Vasi is in the aves heads.

Cooper's butthurt was heard all the way up to Toronto.
- GalacticStone

Tampa won game 7 against us with 7 players on the ice for the game winning goal in the ECF last season. Cooper is a douche.

A healthy Point would definitely make a big difference. He’s been arguably the most clutch player in the last two playoffs, and can single-handedly breakout of the zone cause of his speed. But it’s hard to hope for everyone to be healthy given the amount of games the Lightning have played these past three seasons.

Didn’t get to watch the game but looks like Palat continues to step up big time. I’m supposed to be working for game six and seven if it happens. Will definitely call out to watch if we end up winning the next one.
- jvar17

Point at 100% would certainly make a difference. But, Point at 75% might not matter. He has managed a single assist in the two games he played after coming back from the injury and if memory serves me correctly it was a secondary apple. I don't recall him zipping around with his usual speed and agility. He's clearly not 100% or even close to it.

Sorry for my tone on that post. I was poopfaced and feeling pretty down on everything. I still stand by what I said about Cooper though. He's a damn good coach, but I will never like him as a person. He played the officials like a fiddle with his whining and crying after Game 4 and that paid off in Game 5. Bolts had an iffy call go their way and sway the game. Game 5 cancelled out Game 4 in terms of bad calls for the Bolts, IMO.

I still don't like our chances. Period. Not trying to be negative, just stating the obvious. If Kuemper didn't let in softies regularly, the Lightning would have been eliminated already. Despite two overtime games, these games haven't been close. The Avs are dominating all of the usual stats and the fancy ones.

Vasi is going to have to channel Hasek to pull this banged-up team across the finish line against this stacked and hungry Avs squad. I hope he does, but I aint holding my breath for it.

Tampa won game 7 against us with 7 players on the ice for the game winning goal in the ECF last season. Cooper is a douche.
- Cptmjl

I remember that. Cooper and the Lightning aren't going to get any sympathy from other teams about the officiating. Nor should they.

A healthy Point would definitely make a big difference. He’s been arguably the most clutch player in the last two playoffs, and can single-handedly breakout of the zone cause of his speed. But it’s hard to hope for everyone to be healthy given the amount of games the Lightning have played these past three seasons.

Didn’t get to watch the game but looks like Palat continues to step up big time. I’m supposed to be working for game six and seven if it happens. Will definitely call out to watch if we end up winning the next one.
- jvar17

You think? Of course he would the guy is an absolute beast and money in the playoffs.

https://mobile.twitter.co...?cxt=HHwWhsC86dW4ruMqAAAA

Great.

https://mobile.twitter.co...?cxt=HHwWhsC86dW4ruMqAAAA

Great.
- ddMoose

He’s on ice and doesn’t look hobbled. A couple well placed shots and he should be good for a few hours.

Let’s finish this bitch!

They call that, like a half a second at most from touching the puck? Good to know how the refs will be tonight

And it starts. I guess a guy backs into you standing there is interference…

They call that, like a half a second at most from touching the puck? Good to know how the refs will be tonight
- Jixer19

Looked pretty blatant man, I don't know.

If I took a shot every time one of the Lightning were left alone in front of the net I'd be dead.

Looked pretty blatant man, I don't know.
- ddMoose

Not in real time, but it is what it is. Of course they missed 2 penalties from Tampa (high stick and a hook). Whatever, complaining about refs is just old news at this point

With Tampa scoring first, it is their game to lose now and won't

So is MacK gonna actually be useful and show up on the scoresheet this series? One goal and was off his skate

So is MacK gonna actually be useful and show up on the scoresheet this series? One goal and was off his skate
- Jixer19

He’s working at least. Just snakebitten. Every bounce going Tampas way. Landy is the one that looks completely useless and lost out there.

So is MacK gonna actually be useful and show up on the scoresheet this series? One goal and was off his skate
- Jixer19

He's averaging over 5 shots a game to this point. He's doing all he can, he almost scored to open the game.

He’s working at least. Just snakebitten. Every bounce going Tampas way. Landy is the one that looks completely useless and lost out there.
- TurdFergeson

Landy isn't meant to be the big scorer (this year being an exception, I doubt it is the norm going forward), but covers for MacK on a lot of the defensive side. Although I do agree, it is Makar/Nichushkin + the depth keeping us in this. MacK/Landy/Rants need to pick it up

He's averaging over 5 shots a game to this point. He's doing all he can, he almost scored to open the game.
- ddMoose

At some point, you need to actually score though, I get trying, but trying doesn't win you poop (as he said last year)

I dunno, I thought this team actually had a chance to win the cup going up 3-1, but I was expecting too much, my bad

I dunno, I thought this team actually had a chance to win the cup going up 3-1, but I was expecting too much, my bad
- Jixer19

It's amazing how a team vaunted for such speed can run around in their own zone like headless chickens. Can't get in on the forecheck and establish possession, can't win the battles for the puck, when they do have it you've got that patented TB defense there to clog everything up so bad nothing gets through. I don't know anymore either.

What is with ESPN calling MacK the captain, twice now...

There you go Jixer.

There you go Jixer.
- ddMoose

Cooper being Cooper now…