Matt Ross: It’s On: Battle of Florida!

Go Panthers!

Tough to play the Lightning up to 9 times in a row, but the first two games are for home ice for the critical seven games series.

It will definitely be a tough, physical, wear-you-down kind of series, no room for puddy tats, need to be rough, tough, and consistent Cats. I'm looking for Barkov, Huberdeau, Verhaeghe, and Vatrano to really assert themselves.

I like our chances to win both the 2 game series and the 7 game series.

Need 3 pts in these 2 games. GO PANTHERS

Go Panthers!

Tough to play the Lightning up to 9 times in a row, but the first two games are for home ice for the critical seven games series.

It will definitely be a tough, physical, wear-you-down kind of series, no room for puddy tats, need to be rough, tough, and consistent Cats. I'm looking for Barkov, Huberdeau, Verhaeghe, and Vatrano to really assert themselves.

I like our chances to win both the 2 game series and the 7 game series.
- JimboCoppertone

I agree, Jimbo. I’m expecting a fast and physical series (potential nine games).

It’s going to be awesome!

Need 3 pts in these 2 games. GO PANTHERS
- GudbransonFan

They can do it!

Without Stamkos and Kucherov, the Lightning will have to grind these games out. Expect a lot of dump and chase, shots from the point, and greasy goals.

If the Cats can get the better of this 2-game mini series, then it bodes well for their playoff chances.

If the Cats struggle in these two games, then it only gets worse when Stamkos and Kucherov come back for the playoffs. Granted, Kuch won't be 100%, but Kuch at 80% is better than a lot of teams top-six wings.

McElBackup got thrown to the wolves last night so Vasi could be fresh tonight. This game might turn into a goaltender duel.

Any word on who gets the nod in net for the Cats?

Without Stamkos and Kucherov, the Lightning will have to grind these games out. Expect a lot of dump and chase, shots from the point, and greasy goals.

If the Cats can get the better of this 2-game mini series, then it bodes well for their playoff chances.

If the Cats struggle in these two games, then it only gets worse when Stamkos and Kucherov come back for the playoffs. Granted, Kuch won't be 100%, but Kuch at 80% is better than a lot of teams top-six wings.

McElBackup got thrown to the wolves last night so Vasi could be fresh tonight. This game might turn into a goaltender duel.

Any word on who gets the nod in net for the Cats?
- GalacticStone

I agree with this assessment. The Kuch and Stamkos returns will be a big boost to TBL, as will the Verhaeghe and Hornqvist returns for FLA.

No word on who is starting tonight, just line/D pairings news from the morning skate.

But interesting you ask about the goaltending situation…they talked about it on NHL Tonight and said the Cats are in a position where we could see Bob, Driedger or Knight going at any time in the playoffs - just depends on what the team is doing/who steps up. Q won’t let anyone struggling stay in net and they said he will have no problem throwing Knight in there if need be. Seems wild for such a young guy, but he’s performed well and they compared him to Dryden and Roy in terms of being a rookie and being tossed into the “fire” of playoffs (if it happens).

I agree with this assessment. The Kuch and Stamkos returns will be a big boost to TBL, as will the Verhaeghe and Hornqvist returns for FLA.

No word on who is starting tonight, just line/D pairings news from the morning skate.

But interesting you ask about the goaltending situation…they talked about it on NHL Tonight and said the Cats are in a position where we could see Bob, Driedger or Knight going at any time in the playoffs - just depends on what the team is doing/who steps up. Q won’t let anyone struggling stay in net and they said he will have no problem throwing Knight in there if need be. Seems wild for such a young guy, but he’s performed well and they compared him to Dryden and Roy in terms of being a rookie and being tossed into the “fire” of playoffs (if it happens).
- Matt Ross

It feels like the Cats have quietly put together a deep roster while flying under the radar. I would not be surprised at all if the Cats upset the Bolts in the first round. I would be disappointed and I would female dog to the high heavens about it afterwards, but it wouldn't shock me. The Cats have solid goaltending and all it takes is for a goalie to get on a hot streak to bust a lot of brackets.

Vasi got thrown to the wolves in the playoffs back in 2015 after Bishop got hurt. The Bolts didn't win that series (or the Cup), but it gave a young Vasi vital playoff experience. If Knight ends up between the pipes, it means someone else ahead of him either pooped the bed or got hurt, but the experience would be valuable in his development.

https://www.si.com/nhl/20...i-vasilevskiy-first-start

Yandle will blow up again at some point.

I agree with this assessment. The Kuch and Stamkos returns will be a big boost to TBL, as will the Verhaeghe and Hornqvist returns for FLA.

No word on who is starting tonight, just line/D pairings news from the morning skate.

But interesting you ask about the goaltending situation…they talked about it on NHL Tonight and said the Cats are in a position where we could see Bob, Driedger or Knight going at any time in the playoffs - just depends on what the team is doing/who steps up. Q won’t let anyone struggling stay in net and they said he will have no problem throwing Knight in there if need be. Seems wild for such a young guy, but he’s performed well and they compared him to Dryden and Roy in terms of being a rookie and being tossed into the “fire” of playoffs (if it happens).
- Matt Ross

Bob starting tonight. Bennett is back in. Verhaeghe and Hornqvist still out, but Q said if tonight was game 1, they’d be playing.
Vamonos Gatos!!
Let’s go Panthers!!

Bob starting tonight. Bennett is back in. Verhaeghe and Hornqvist still out, but Q said if tonight was game 1, they’d be playing.
Vamonos Gatos!!
Let’s go Panthers!!
- Ratsreign

How is Bennett playing so far for the Panthers, he plays his best hockey when it’s playoff time. I’ll be cheering for the Panthers I hate the Lightning.

How is Bennett playing so far for the Panthers, he plays his best hockey when it’s playoff time. I’ll be cheering for the Panthers I hate the Lightning.
- FlamesFan1230

Q put Sam at center on line 2, with Huberdeau and Duclair (last few games has been Owen Tippett as Duclair was up on line 1. He’s been doing very well here. Missed the last game (ubi, but maybe just a day off to rest) but is back for tonight. Sam is a great addition to the Panthers.

Q put Sam at center on line 2, with Huberdeau and Duclair (last few games has been Owen Tippett as Duclair was up on line 1. He’s been doing very well here. Missed the last game (ubi, but maybe just a day off to rest) but is back for tonight. Sam is a great addition to the Panthers.
- Ratsreign

Good to hear he’s doing well, he really turns it up playoff time he was always the Flames best player in the playoffs.

Good to see you are alive matty. Thought we were going to have to put out a search party

No Hedman. No McDonagh. No Rutta.

The last one is meh, but talk about an opportunity for the Cats.

This Lightning D is a patchwork of rookies and pylons outside of Sergachev, Cernak, and Savard.

We see your patchwork D and raise you 1 Yandle

Love how this team sticks up for each other. Ain’t seen that in many moons

Love how this team sticks up for each other. Ain’t seen that in many moons
- harveykline

Good to hear he’s doing well, he really turns it up playoff time he was always the Flames best player in the playoffs.
- FlamesFan1230

No, wrong - Sam plays hard when it suits him. His last 5 games with Flames he played beast mode - and former coach Ward made him a healthy scratch, exactly for that reason. We'll see how good Sam is, if Huberdeau cools down - you're talking about a top 10 in the league points leader.

For me it's funny to watch Sam, first he's a clown, and a cry baby - and it really raises more questions about Calgary, than anything else. Panthers were my childhood favourite team, while my other friends were raving for the Avs with Sakic and Forsberg

Nowhere near pro but im certain i can shoot harder and better than yandle

Haha Colton can freely punch defenseless players on the ice now that everyone knows its not punishable hahha

for an American team, you guys have pretty good broadcasters. Not in the same league as Kelly Hrudey, but still very respectable.

No, wrong - Sam plays hard when it suits him. His last 5 games with Flames he played beast mode - and former coach Ward made him a healthy scratch, exactly for that reason. We'll see how good Sam is, if Huberdeau cools down - you're talking about a top 10 in the league points leader.

For me it's funny to watch Sam, first he's a clown, and a cry baby - and it really raises more questions about Calgary, than anything else. Panthers were my childhood favourite team, while my other friends were raving for the Avs with Sakic and Forsberg
- eastcanadAREaholes

Dude, take your bitter ass somewhere else. Every time you come here it’s solely to try and bash Bennett. News flash, we don’t fukking care about what happened in Calgary. And your opinion seems to be in the minority, and is so over the top biased against him, it’s ridiculous. Go back to your treehouse where the Sam Haters clubhouse is headquartered, maybe you’ll find someone who cares there.

for an American team, you guys have pretty good broadcasters. Not in the same league as Kelly Hrudey, but still very respectable.
- eastcanadAREaholes

“for an American team....”

Dude, take your bitter ass somewhere else. Every time you come here it’s solely to try and bash Bennett. News flash, we don’t fukking care about what happened in Calgary. And your opinion seems to be in the minority, and is so over the top biased against him, it’s ridiculous. Go back to your treehouse where the Sam Haters clubhouse is headquartered, maybe you’ll find someone who cares there.
- Ratsreign

Deal with it - you guys have a player with no integrity & who's very entitled. He should have been traded to Columbus so he could hang out with Tortorella (or at least to Buffalo). Plus - it's wrong for people to keep perpetuating the lie that there's a "playoff Sam" - he ripped off Flames fans in a big way. He could have took ownership, played hard, and stole 1C from softy Monahan - but he didn't, because he has no integrity.