Sam Hitchcock: Lightning Withstand Sabres and Control Destiny

But there is a discomforting quality about this Lightning team that doesn’t sit quite right. The Lightning’s universe is unrealistic, fantastical, like a trust fund kid who doesn’t understand the consequences of money. Against a weak opponent like Buffalo, Tampa Bay can vomit up the puck on breakouts, concede two power-play goals, lose a two-goal lead, fail to apply any pressure on transition defense, and still come away successful. Mistakes don’t seem to have lasting consequences. This will not be true in the unsparing playoffs.

This is 100% spot on, and a very funny/clever way to put it.

I hope the start of the playoffs will allow the Bolts to start with a clean slate for Vasi and the PK.

Both need to improve substantially for the Lightning to make it past the first round.

As they say, the regular season means nothing once you qualify for the playoffs, so I am hoping the Lightning shed their regular season decline and show the playoff intensity they brought against the bRuins in that last game.

Carolina game :

That second goal should have been overturned. That was clearly goaltender interference.

But there is a discomforting quality about this Lightning team that doesn’t sit quite right. The Lightning’s universe is unrealistic, fantastical, like a trust fund kid who doesn’t understand the consequences of money. Against a weak opponent like Buffalo, Tampa Bay can vomit up the puck on breakouts, concede two power-play goals, lose a two-goal lead, fail to apply any pressure on transition defense, and still come away successful. Mistakes don’t seem to have lasting consequences. This will not be true in the unsparing playoffs.

The good thing about trust funds is that they do not work on trust, and only give you regular pay periods because of that very fear you will squander. This team is stacked, and then they added McD. Relax, sit back, and enjoy the ride boys.

But there is a discomforting quality about this Lightning team that doesn’t sit quite right. The Lightning’s universe is unrealistic, fantastical, like a trust fund kid who doesn’t understand the consequences of money. Against a weak opponent like Buffalo, Tampa Bay can vomit up the puck on breakouts, concede two power-play goals, lose a two-goal lead, fail to apply any pressure on transition defense, and still come away successful. Mistakes don’t seem to have lasting consequences. This will not be true in the unsparing playoffs.

The good thing about trust funds is that they do not work on trust, and only give you regular pay periods because of that very fear you will squander. This team is stacked, and then they added McD. Relax, sit back, and enjoy the ride boys.
- bikeguy99

Should be a good series.

I'm curious what kind of Stamkos we'll see, if we see him early on at all. So far from what I've read it's not even a sure thing Stamkos plays in game 1. Now can we win in the first round without Stamkos, yes we can, can we win the whole thing without Stamkos, I'm not sure. Excited for Thursday, lets get it started.