Adjusting from the slower, more physical Panthers team to the smaller but speedier and more balanced Tampa team will probably prove to be difficult. We saw the Triplets line carry the play for long stretches at times last night. Outside of them and Drouin though, nobody else is of particular worry. Hedman is great, but he's saddled with Matt Carle, who makes Brian Strait look like Nik Lidstrom.
- eichiefs9

I think I can score against that D outside of Hedman and Stralman. Going to be a lot of pressure on Bishop. Still going to be a very tough series, but Isles have to like their chances.

I think I can score against that D outside of Hedman and Stralman. Going to be a lot of pressure on Bishop. Still going to be a very tough series, but Isles have to like their chances.
- ses111

I said this before the series started.......i like the way the isles match up with the lightening. Their forwards are small, and their d isnt not that strong. Hedman is a big guy, but he doesnt play a big game. Also, they really dont have an answer to the isles "4th line" who appear to be playing like they did all season, which is dominating the play.

Adjusting from the slower, more physical Panthers team to the smaller but speedier and more balanced Tampa team will probably prove to be difficult. We saw the Triplets line carry the play for long stretches at times last night. Outside of them and Drouin though, nobody else is of particular worry. Hedman is great, but he's saddled with Matt Carle, who makes Brian Strait look like Nik Lidstrom.
- eichiefs9

I'd expect that last night in the second half of the game the Isles legs were heavy as hell. Back to back double OT games against florida and then an earlier start to this series than expected and I honestly thought they'd be gassed past the first period. I think after a few more days of rest you'll see less stretches of the lightning controlling play for long periods. I really like this matchup especially without stamkos and stralman.

Adjusting from the slower, more physical Panthers team to the smaller but speedier and more balanced Tampa team will probably prove to be difficult. We saw the Triplets line carry the play for long stretches at times last night. Outside of them and Drouin though, nobody else is of particular worry. Hedman is great, but he's saddled with Matt Carle, who makes Brian Strait look like Nik Lidstrom.
- eichiefs9

I keep hearing how Hedman is a Norris candidate.......and i just dont get it. I know he's talented, and big guy, great skater. But, I see so many areas of his game that need improvement, that i just dont see him among the top NHL dman. I dont put him in the same sentence as Doughty, Weber, or Keith.

I said this before the series started.......i like the way the isles match up with the lightening. Their forwards are small, and their d isnt not that strong. Hedman is a big guy, but he doesnt play a big game. Also, they really dont have an answer to the isles "4th line" who appear to be playing like they did all season, which is dominating the play.
- kindlyrick

Isles are not going up against the trap Devils and that D. Should be plenty of chances to score against Tampa. Bishop is really going to have to bring his A++ game. Isles play physical and smart and Cappy plays the right line combos and good things should happen.

I agree. Whenever they try to hold onto a lead it bites them in the arse. Not a fan of them trying to lock it down just keep going with what was working. Playing that style with tampas first line out there is playing with fire. Those guys have to be the fastest line in the NHL. We couldn't contain them for long stretches in the third. I also feel they were gassed in the third this break between games I think will benefit us.
- Cptmjl

I'm not even so much against playing that style if it's executed well, but the whole idea is to clog the neutral zone and prevent the other team from coming up the ice with speed. When the Isles do it, they have four guys backing up all the way to their goaltender, so, to your point, they're still letting that fastest line come in with all the speed in the world. So, do it if you can do it right. If not, just keep them on defense.

It's entirely possible what we saw in the third was fatigue, too. TB's had a lot of rest and the Isles have played a lot of really tough hockey. Wouldn't be too surprising if TB shook off some rust and found their legs in the third while the Isles lost theirs a little bit. But we've seen the "rapid retreat" version of the Isles' trap before, too...

Really wondering what we'll see Saturday now that these teams have been properly introduced. Man, if the Isles can take a 2-0 lead home with them...

I'm not even so much against playing that style if it's executed well, but the whole is to clog the neutral zone and prevent the other team from coming up the ice with speed. When the Isles do it, they have four guys backing up all the way to their goaltender, so, to your point, they're still letting that fastest line come in with all the speed in the world. So, do it if you can do it right. If not, just keep them on defense.

It's entirely possible what we saw in the third was fatigue, too. TB's had a lot of rest and the Isles have played a lot of really tough hockey. Wouldn't be too surprising if TB shook off some rust and found their legs in the third while the Isles lost theirs a little bit. But we've seen the "rapid retreat" version of the Isles' trap before, too...

Really wondering what we'll see Saturday now that these teams have been properly introduced. Man, if the Isles can take a 2-0 lead home with them...
- UIF

If they play that clog the neutral zone game, you'll simply see the isles chip and chase. The isles forwards are relentless and will bang their d up chasing after the puck if they play that style.

If they play that clog the neutral zone game, you'll simply see the isles chip and chase. The isles forwards are relentless and will bang their d up chasing after the puck if they play that style.
- kindlyrick

If TB plays that style? I was talking about the other way around...when the Isles change their game in the third to "lock it down" mode.

that 3rd period was horrendous!!! they should be ashamed of that performance.

If TB plays that style? I was talking about the other way around...when the Isles change their game in the third to "lock it down" mode.
- UIF

You never wanna do that.......the isles problem is they need to keep the foot on the gas.

that 3rd period was horrendous!!! they should be ashamed of that performance.
- LetsGoIsles

1-0 isles who now have home ice...

It was awesome to see Ben get Bish-Slapped! The schedule is great for the Isles! The bolts had a lot of time off and are sitting again. There is nothing worse after playing a inferior opponent and advancing, then losing in game one. They are off their game and we need to step on their necks Saturday.
- islesrbettr

Look who it is again. Clueless Joe Jackson!!

1-0 isles who now have home ice...
- kindlyrick

technically no one has home ice right now....3 away 3 home remain.

that 3rd period should not be swept under the rug; once again, they relied HEAVILY on greiss to come up with a few monstrous saves. if TG isnt playing the way he is, they lose that game.

technically no one has home ice right now....3 away 3 home remain.

that 3rd period should not be swept under the rug; once again, they relied HEAVILY on greiss to come up with a few monstrous saves. if TG isnt playing the way he is, they lose that game.
- LetsGoIsles

You're right on the home ice.....but no matter the outcome of game 2, if the lightening win, the series is tied, and the isles do have home ice.
After playing to Double OT games, and being forced to play early, im not too concerned with a third period like that. Sure if TG isnt playing the way he is, its a different story, but he is playing this way. Furthermore, its not just a function of the score, the isles are physically dominating this team, and i dont see that changing. Heck if Bishop didnt let in 4 goals, it might have been i different story, but he did.

Look who it is again. Clueless Joe Jackson!!
- Isles

http://www.sportingnews.c...d-clot-playoffs-lightning

Really interesting article about Stamkos' timeline. Seems like we will not be seeing him or Stralman in this series.

- eichiefs9

How could he show his face in here and not expect it?

How could he show his face in here and not expect it?
- Isles

Because his parents are first cousins?

Because his parents are first cousins?
- eichiefs9

Barzal's team won its own double OT game and are heading to the WHL championship

http://www.seattlethunder...n-conference-championship

From that article:

Bear put the T-Birds back within one goal at 15:08 of the second. Kolesar won the puck on the right boards to Mathew Barzal who carried the puck behind the Kelowna net. Barzal centered the puck to Bear in the slot. Bear beat Herringer with a hard wrist shot for his fifth goal of the playoffs.

With the assist Barzal is now the franchise leader in playoff assists and points passing former Patrick Marleau. In 28 career playoff games Barzal has 10 goals and 21 assists for 31 points. The 21 assists and 31 points are one ahead of Marleau in each category.

Barzal's team won its own double OT game and are heading to the WHL championship

http://www.seattlethunder...n-conference-championship

From that article:

Bear put the T-Birds back within one goal at 15:08 of the second. Kolesar won the puck on the right boards to Mathew Barzal who carried the puck behind the Kelowna net. Barzal centered the puck to Bear in the slot. Bear beat Herringer with a hard wrist shot for his fifth goal of the playoffs.

With the assist Barzal is now the franchise leader in playoff assists and points passing former Patrick Marleau. In 28 career playoff games Barzal has 10 goals and 21 assists for 31 points. The 21 assists and 31 points are one ahead of Marleau in each category.


- eichiefs9

If Strome finds his game and Barzal knocking on the door look out.

that 3rd period was horrendous!!! they should be ashamed of that performance.
- LetsGoIsles

Third period is a result of the NHL giving them zero time off after that double overtime game 6. There was no reason for that game to be played last night. Cooper even took a shot at it during the press conference... Well we are down to final 8 team... oh wait 9 teams I guess b/c we played that game before round 1 was even over..

bottom line is Isles were very beat up and exhausted. Still stole the game. 2 days to rest.. then 2 more.

If Strome finds his game and Barzal knocking on the door look out.
- ses111

We're going to have a major log-jam at forward here next season.

- Quine is pushing for a spot.
- Prince has earned a one-way contract
- Barzal will be pushing hard for a roster spot
- Potentially a forward coming back this way after a potential Hamonic trade

technically no one has home ice right now....3 away 3 home remain.

that 3rd period should not be swept under the rug; once again, they relied HEAVILY on greiss to come up with a few monstrous saves. if TG isnt playing the way he is, they lose that game.
- LetsGoIsles

Uh, being up 1-0 with 3 home games left in a 7-game series is the very definition of home ice.

You're right on the home ice.....but no matter the outcome of game 2, if the lightening win, the series is tied, and the isles do have home ice.
After playing to Double OT games, and being forced to play early, im not too concerned with a third period like that. Sure if TG isnt playing the way he is, its a different story, but he is playing this way. Furthermore, its not just a function of the score, the isles are physically dominating this team, and i dont see that changing. Heck if Bishop didnt let in 4 goals, it might have been i different story, but he did.
- kindlyrick

i hope we arent counting on ben bishop sucking as much as he did last night for the rest of the series; if they are they gotta go back to the drawing board.