Michael Stuart: Can the Lightning Challenge for the Three-peat?

I thought Pittsburgh were going to a few years ago and they took a gigantic dump... Tampa Bay has waaaaay more depth and a much better chance but winning 3 in a row in the modern NHL is nearly impossible - Even in the old NHL it was next to impossible.

Off the top of my head, last team to do it was The Islanders with their 4-straight.

Not to mention, Tampa Bay has done it in 2 consecutive shortened seasons.

I don't see it happening. If it happens - They will be the one true modern NHL dynasty.

Michael Stuart: Can the Lightning Challenge for the Three-peat?
- Michael Stuart

In a word...."Yes".

If the habs could go through Toronto, Winnipeg, and Vegas like they did then there's no reason the current Lightning team can't win again.

Really the only scary team to worry about is the Panthers.

No other team will win the cup again, ever. Even after Vasi dies, his corpse will continue will give quality starts for another two seasons before it decays.

Another point missed was the lack of ltir luck you had last year. And I’m not whining about it either. All teams should do everything within the rules to win and get an advantage or they ain’t doing right by their fans. But that isn’t a thing this year like last year.

Another point missed was the lack of ltir luck you had last year. And I’m not whining about it either. All teams should do everything within the rules to win and get an advantage or they ain’t doing right by their fans. But that isn’t a thing this year like last year.
- ChrisMS

I sort of viewed that as part of the loss of depth point. LTIR allowed them to have the crazy roster they did, to an extent. Not having Kucherov on IR means a loss of depth to compensate.

I sort of viewed that as part of the loss of depth point. LTIR allowed them to have the crazy roster they did, to an extent. Not having Kucherov on IR means a loss of depth to compensate.
- Michael Stuart

Here is the thing that is funny though, every team in the league could have had the Lightning's 4C Tyler Johnson and hurt their depth last year not once but twice he went thru waivers. While he had a mediocre regular season he played really good in the playoffs and the 4th line was a huge difference with his speed and skill on it. If you watch Road to the Stanley cup there is a point where Andy Greene of the Islanders is talking to his coach about Johnson and how he was coming with so much speed and disrupting their plans.

Here is the thing that is funny though, every team in the league could have had the Lightning's 4C Tyler Johnson and hurt their depth last year not once but twice he went thru waivers. While he had a mediocre regular season he played really good in the playoffs and the 4th line was a huge difference with his speed and skill on it. If you watch Road to the Stanley cup there is a point where Andy Greene of the Islanders is talking to his coach about Johnson and how he was coming with so much speed and disrupting their plans.
- stammerman

He went through waivers but picking up that contract was cost prohibitive. No one said Johnson wasn't a good player. Most, however, weren't crazy for Johnson at 5mm AAV for the next 3 seasons. Additionally, he likely wasn't a final piece who was going to put anyone else over the top.

He went through waivers but picking up that contract was cost prohibitive. No one said Johnson wasn't a good player. Most, however, weren't crazy for Johnson at 5mm AAV for the next 3 seasons. Additionally, he likely wasn't a final piece who was going to put anyone else over the top.
- Only_A_Ladd

I understand all that. I still think its funny that the Lightning had the luxury of him being their 4C when he could have been taken for nothing two times to hurt their depth last year but that did not happen. It was just a strange year that worked out perfectly for the Lightning in regard to the cap and how they could handle it.

Another point missed was the lack of ltir luck you had last year.
- ChrisMS

It was really long ago, but after dusting off an old tome of hockey history I managed to find that there was indeed a year where the Lightning won the stanley cup without LTIR shenanigans. It said it happened in 2020.

It was really long ago, but after dusting off an old tome of hockey history I managed to find that there was indeed a year where the Lightning won the stanley cup without LTIR shenanigans. It said it happened in 2020.
- Izzo

A little sensitive are we?

A little sensitive are we?
- ChrisMS

No it just seems like so many people want to hang their hat on the LTIR thing being the reason they won when practically the same team and lineup won it the year prior without any LTIR issues.

I think they have as good a shot as anyone to win it again, but I don't think it's likely.

When this pandemic is finally in the rear view mirror, a lot of things are going to look very different about this point in time. In early 2020, with no warning, everyone's lives changed in a fundamental way. That had a trickle down effect on our personal lives, our careers, and our entertainment/sports.

Whether or not there is an asterisk next to the Lightning's Cup runs in the record books is moot. One thing is for certain - when hockey fans look back on the Covid years, it will be clear that the Lightning dominated those years.

How far that carries over into a post-Covid era remains to be seen.

Sergachev interview with Russian media (translated) - https://www.rawcharge.com...hreats-from-fans-montreal

Tony Esposito has passed away - https://www.nbcchicago.co...r-team-announces/2587360/

Tony Esposito has passed away - https://www.nbcchicago.co...r-team-announces/2587360/
- GalacticStone

RIP

If the habs could go through Toronto, Winnipeg, and Vegas like they did then there's no reason the current Lightning team can't win again.

Really the only scary team to worry about is the Panthers.
- Izzo

Reinhart signed for 3 years, they've built a really solid team over there. That Bob contract though

Of course they have a chance. In a way i hope they do as it gives everyone a common enemy, besides the other blue and white team. The league needs a dynasty to up its profile.