Matt Ross: Battle of Florida: Game 5

Nice read.
Tighten up that D, stop letting Tampa players set up there lazy boys in front of the net and keep pushing the pace and get in Vasi head and take care of business.

Nice read.
Tighten up that D, stop letting Tampa players set up there lazy boys in front of the net and keep pushing the pace and get in Vasi head and take care of business.
- Buff36

Thanks, Buff. Big one tonight. Hope you’ll be joining us. Haha.

Thanks, Buff. Big one tonight. Hope you’ll be joining us. Haha.
- Matt Ross

Of course, it's been a wild series so far. Sure I will be going back and forth from here and the Sabres blog.

Of course, it's been a wild series so far. Sure I will be going back and forth from here and the Sabres blog.
- Buff36

Somebody look up the PDO for these two teams in this series. I would bet the Bolts are probably riding an unsustainable PDO wave.

The Cats have played well enough to win this series, but their finishers aren't finishing. And while Vasi's numbers have looked pedestrian, he has come up with big saves more often than Bob or Driedger.

I don't trust that this will continue for the Bolts. I'd like to see them end this series tonight. The longer it drags on, the more I feel an upset coming.

Somebody look up the PDO for these two teams in this series. I would bet the Bolts are probably riding an unsustainable PDO wave.

The Cats have played well enough to win this series, but their finishers aren't finishing. And while Vasi's numbers have looked pedestrian, he has come up with big saves more often than Bob or Driedger.

I don't trust that this will continue for the Bolts. I'd like to see them end this series tonight. The longer it drags on, the more I feel an upset coming.
- GalacticStone

Interesting to see how this game plays out, is it more hockey with what's at stake, or does payback come into the fold and throw the game for a loop again.

Your best players have to be your best players to win in the playoffs. That's how the Lightning won last year, rode the wave of their stars. I think Barkov is one of the best players in the league but being honest he has seemed pretty average so far this series. The Panthers will need him to breakout if they want to come back in this series. A lot of series left and its not over but obviously I hope that Barkov doesn't breakout

Somebody look up the PDO for these two teams in this series. I would bet the Bolts are probably riding an unsustainable PDO wave.

The Cats have played well enough to win this series, but their finishers aren't finishing. And while Vasi's numbers have looked pedestrian, he has come up with big saves more often than Bob or Driedger.

I don't trust that this will continue for the Bolts. I'd like to see them end this series tonight. The longer it drags on, the more I feel an upset coming.
- GalacticStone

It’s going to be interesting. If the Panthers can play a focused game and stay out of the box, they have a real chance to survive tonight.

Nice job, Matt!
FL just has to find a way to get the W tonight. They can beat TB if they stop handing glorious opportunities to them on a silver platter. At least I have faith that they won’t quit.
Let’s go Panthers!

Your best players have to be your best players to win in the playoffs. That's how the Lightning won last year, rode the wave of their stars. I think Barkov is one of the best players in the league but being honest he has seemed pretty average so far this series. The Panthers will need him to breakout if they want to come back in this series. A lot of series left and its not over but obviously I hope that Barkov doesn't breakout
- stammerman

You are correct about Barky looking average. Unfortunately, this is a common trend come playoffs time for him - as well as Florida’s other best players. Great regular season, but struggles to deliver in the post-season.

I ran numbers this morning for fun (and boredom) using this years final standings with usual divisions and playoff rules i dont know if we would have faired any better. Assuming i did correctly it looks like we would have wound up with boston the way they handled washington im not sure it would have been much better. On the plus side tampa would be tearing toronto a new A instead of us. I hate tampa this series but after they finish us off they are cool with me. As long as toronto ends up out sooner rather than later

Your best players have to be your best players to win in the playoffs. That's how the Lightning won last year, rode the wave of their stars. I think Barkov is one of the best players in the league but being honest he has seemed pretty average so far this series. The Panthers will need him to breakout if they want to come back in this series. A lot of series left and its not over but obviously I hope that Barkov doesn't breakout
- stammerman

Barkov is playing through an injury (or two), I think.

Nice job, Matt!
FL just has to find a way to get the W tonight. They can beat TB if they stop handing glorious opportunities to them on a silver platter. At least I have faith that they won’t quit.
Let’s go Panthers!
- Ratsreign

Thanks, Rats! I believe they can do it, too. Just need to stay focused/composed, limit giving Tampa prime opportunities and keep the legs moving.

Is Knight playing or hasn't it been announced yet.

Barkov is playing through an injury (or two), I think.
- Ratsreign

I can definitely see that being the case.

Is Knight playing or hasn't it been announced yet.
- Buff36

They’re saying there won’t be an announcement until game time.

They’re saying there won’t be an announcement until game time.
- Matt Ross

Actually think that might not be a bad idea, I know he's a rookie, but your D might actually work harder cause of it.

Actually think that might not be a bad idea, I know he's a rookie, but your D might actually work harder cause of it.
- Buff36

It would (hopefully) be a shot in the arm. I don’t think it really matters who is in net, it’s the five guys in front of the blue paint that are the bigger issue.

It would (hopefully) be a shot in the arm. I don’t think it really matters who is in net, it’s the five guys in front of the blue paint that are the bigger issue.
- Matt Ross

Well I agree on that, but maybe it makes them think about that blue paint a little more.

Well I agree on that, but maybe it makes them think about that blue paint a little more.
- Buff36

Oh yeah. For sure, man.

I see a lot of people saying it’s a bad idea - like it’s risking his confidence. Doesn’t bother me at all. My guess is the coaching staff has talked to him (if he’s playing) and explained that the outcome does not reflect on him. Just go out and play.

I think it would be good experience for him - win or lose.

Oh yeah. For sure, man.

I see a lot of people saying it’s a bad idea - like it’s risking his confidence. Doesn’t bother me at all. My guess is the coaching staff has talked to him (if he’s playing) and explained that the outcome does not reflect on him. Just go out and play.

I think it would be good experience for him - win or lose.
- Matt Ross

The crucible of the playoffs might be good for his development. He's played on a big stage before, but nothing like a Stanley Cup elimination game. Vasi got thrown to the wolves in 2015 against Chicago, and it worked out pretty well in the long run for him.

That 2015 Chicago team is also the same team that opened Pandora's LTIR Box forever.

Somebody look up the PDO for these two teams in this series. I would bet the Bolts are probably riding an unsustainable PDO wave.

The Cats have played well enough to win this series, but their finishers aren't finishing. And while Vasi's numbers have looked pedestrian, he has come up with big saves more often than Bob or Driedger.

I don't trust that this will continue for the Bolts. I'd like to see them end this series tonight. The longer it drags on, the more I feel an upset coming.
- GalacticStone

PDO a tad high for Tampa but not crazy unsustainable for the course of a playoff run. It’s basically your second paragraph. Vasy has made the big saves on the prime scoring chances and they haven’t been matched in the other net.

The crucible of the playoffs might be good for his development. He's played on a big stage before, but nothing like a Stanley Cup elimination game. Vasi got thrown to the wolves in 2015 against Chicago, and it worked out pretty well in the long run for him.

That 2015 Chicago team is also the same team that opened Pandora's LTIR Box forever.
- GalacticStone

I will always hate Chicago for taking away my chance of attending a game 7 of a Stanley cup final.

They’re saying there won’t be an announcement until game time.
- Matt Ross

Q asked DMack to have a whole chicken ready for him after the morning skate. Q was a little miffed to find a bucket of KFC waiting in the coach’s room when he got there.
Decision delayed....