Matt Ross: Battle of Florida: Rd 2, Gm 1

Well done, Matt!

It's going to be a great series. Can't wait for it to start!

This year's Panthers are a better, stronger, and more experienced team than last year's team. Getting over the hump with Washington was huge. Combined with the President's trophy, record-breaking season, and beating Washington in 6, winning 3 straight makes the Panthers a confident group.

I think they showed a little stage fright in the first couple games, but maintained their cool and put in a strong effort to finish well in the last series.

Looking ahead, I think the Cats have the talent and tools to receive the baton from Tampa and go all the way. A good start, winning game 1 will set them up nicely. As will a power play goal or two. It just feels like the pressure holding Jack in the box is going to pop it wide open with some sort of offensive explosion.

Go Panthers!

PS - plenty of room on the Panthers' bandwagon. Everyone welcome! Climb aboard and send your support.

Go Panthers!

Ive been trying to spread the word. The wifes coworkers are leafs/bruins fans but when we said climb aboard they said NEVER! So suit themselves i guess. Enjoy being out in the first round, says a panthers fan of all people hahaha

Jeez imagine having Reinhart on the third line. The Panthers are crazy deep.

Hoping for another fun series. Obviously I want the Lightning to win, but being from South Jersey and being a Flyers fan second, I’d love to see Giroux finally get a cup if we do lose to you guys.

Well, I promise not to make any Nick Paul jokes. That is what got me run out of the Leafs forum on a rail.

I already see another Lightning fan in here, so I won't be as lonely. I was the sole Lightning guy in the Leafs threads and I felt like a grain of pepper in the salt shaker.

I wish I could say that I am looking forward to this series. In one way, I am. In other ways I am not. I expect to see a very entertaining and close series, not unlike the Leafs series - that is both good and bad for me. I enjoyed the Leafs series, but it also aged me 10 years and aged my liver 25 years. At this rate, I'll be in a nursing home by the time the Finals come around.

Go get that cup Florida! Go get that cup G

Cant believe we are scheduled back to back in the playoffs thats gotta be almost unheard of

Cant believe we are scheduled back to back in the playoffs thats gotta be almost unheard of
- Shynes57

I read that the Panthers requested that they start on Wednesday so they would not have their games go up against the Heat. Tampa also requested to start Wednesday so they would not have the back to back due to a concert on Saturday that they could not cancel. The league tried to make it work but when the Flames won it set in motion for ESPN to pick the series they wanted to show and they chose the Hurricanes-Rangers leaving the Panthers-Lightning for the TNT network ensuring the Tuesday start and Back to Back games.

I'll see if I can find the tweet.

EDIT: Here is one of the tweets I saw, he goes into more detail if you read his feed.
https://twitter.com/flasp...?cxt=HHwWgMC9gYfVu64qAAAA


As for the series, without Brayden Point I think the Lightning will still be fine on the PP when they get into the zone (expect Hedman to take it in) and also on the PK. They are going to suffer on 5on5 with transition game without Point. Cirelli moving back to Center is fine the kid is a defensive stud but not a scorer but Florida has to take advantage of no Point and clog up the neutral zone and stop Tampa's transition. I think Tampa is going to "turtle" in front of Vasy to keep all scoring chances to the outside to give them the best chance to win. Looking forward to it.

I found hagel to be extremely underwhelming in round 1. I know hes not highly paid but what they paid for him i expected more from him and paul although paul showed up when it counted

I found hagel to be extremely underwhelming in round 1. I know hes not highly paid but what they paid for him i expected more from him and paul although paul showed up when it counted
- Shynes57

This reminds me a lot of when Goodrow and Coleman came over. It took a while for them to settle in and learn the systems and their new linemates. Coleman seemed to acclimate a little faster, while Goodrow's value didn't become apparent until the playoffs. Paul is Coleman in this comparison and Hagel is Goodrow (hopefully).

I expected Hagel would bring more offense, but he's not playing with Patrick Kane any more and his icetime is reduced compared to what he was getting in Chicago. His forechecking was tenacious against Toronto, but he didn't show up much on the scoresheet.

Nick Paul owned the Leafs. I heard a sportswriter describe him as "230 pounds of manmeat that Toronto had no answer for". Florida is built a little heavier than Toronto and plays with more sandpaper, so I don't expect Paul to run roughshod over the Cats like he did the Leafs. Maybe it will be Hagel's turn to step up.

This reminds me a lot of when Goodrow and Coleman came over. It took a while for them to settle in and learn the systems and their new linemates. Coleman seemed to acclimate a little faster, while Goodrow's value didn't become apparent until the playoffs. Paul is Coleman in this comparison and Hagel is Goodrow (hopefully).

I expected Hagel would bring more offense, but he's not playing with Patrick Kane any more and his icetime is reduced compared to what he was getting in Chicago. His forechecking was tenacious against Toronto, but he didn't show up much on the scoresheet.

Nick Paul owned the Leafs. I heard a sportswriter describe him as "230 pounds of manmeat that Toronto had no answer for". Florida is built a little heavier than Toronto and plays with more sandpaper, so I don't expect Paul to run roughshod over the Cats like he did the Leafs. Maybe it will be Hagel's turn to step up.
- GalacticStone

I’m a big fan of Hagel. He was the standout on the Hawks this year. Granted, the Hawks were very rough, but Hagel was the bright spot. Great motor and scoring touch.

I think he’ll be good for TBL, but might be having some adjustment issues. He was a big fish in a little (bad) Chicago pond. Now he’s a little fish in a big (good) Tampa pond.

Well done, Matt!

It's going to be a great series. Can't wait for it to start!

This year's Panthers are a better, stronger, and more experienced team than last year's team. Getting over the hump with Washington was huge. Combined with the President's trophy, record-breaking season, and beating Washington in 6, winning 3 straight makes the Panthers a confident group.

I think they showed a little stage fright in the first couple games, but maintained their cool and put in a strong effort to finish well in the last series.

Looking ahead, I think the Cats have the talent and tools to receive the baton from Tampa and go all the way. A good start, winning game 1 will set them up nicely. As will a power play goal or two. It just feels like the pressure holding Jack in the box is going to pop it wide open with some sort of offensive explosion.

Go Panthers!
- JimboCoppertone

Thanks, Jimbo!

Here we go. 18 mins to game time.

Well on my to 3/4's drunk and ready for any outcome.

Bolts record in Game One is not good.

Hoping for a split in these first two games.

Showing up on time has not been our strong suit so far. Lets go boys. 7 o clock means you start at 6 o clock

Here we go. 18 mins to game time.

Well on my to 3/4's drunk and ready for any outcome.

Bolts record in Game One is not good.

Hoping for a split in these first two games.


- GalacticStone

Far out, man!

0 shots.....

Cats playing some stronger team defense here IMO. They look more confident defensively tonight.

Fuxk sakes guys. Does brunette explain about not getting penalties??????

Fun first period. Feels like both sides are starting to heat up a bit.

Should be a great rest of the game.

Lets see if weve learned how to pp

Wow sucky still

Bennett move your ass you just caused an offside taking your sweet time to the bench

I missed the first period. Behind by one, so not terrible apparently. Less than ideal, but not terrible.

I was out feeding the raccoons and watching the momma with her babies. I guess my priorities aren't straight. LOL. But like I said, as a Lightning fan, I don't put much stock in Game Ones.

Chiarot what are you doing? Headbutt is a suspendable offense smarten up