We all know how this story ends. I put money all the leaf’s getting out of the first round. As soon as the face someone hungry bye bye.

When it hit 2-0, I decided to shut it off and take a flyer on the rest of the game. I didn't feel confident the Bolts would come back and I didn't want to waste more time watching a frustrating game. In retrospect, I'm glad I did. I went back this morning and watched the highlights/lowlights and read some game articles. It went about the way I thought it would - a comeback attempt that falls short.

A few thoughts from the Tampa side :

1) Hoping for a home split and then a best of three series. Home ice doesn't seem to matter much.

2) Vasi is not his usual dominating self. He's not dialed in and it's obvious now how much the Bolts have taken his stellar goaltending for granted. He is truly the team MVP and if he doesn't put the goalie voodoo on the Leafs soon, then I'm not confident the Bolts win this series or even go to 7 games.

3) Point is definitely playing through an injury. I'm curious to see what it is once the playoffs is over. I wonder if it's related to his shoulder injury that caused him to miss time this season. Next to Vasi, Point is probably the MVP. A lot is said about Hedman, Stamkos, and Ducherov, but Point is the best zone-entry forward the Bolts have. Without his dynamic play and creative zone entries, the Lightning's offense flounders and is prone to turnovers and counterattacks off the rush.

4) Sergachev has been disappointing this post season so far.

5) Leafs PP is too dangerous to phuck around with. Stay out of the box.

6) Credit to the Leafs for neutralizing the Bolts big guns. Stamkos, Kucherov, and Point are largely invisible.

7) The post season is hell on my liver every year. You'd think I would learn and take up needlepoint or something.

Is the Avs goalie done?

13-7 W

5-0😃

Okay, so that back up looks shaky.

When it hit 2-0, I decided to shut it off and take a flyer on the rest of the game. I didn't feel confident the Bolts would come back and I didn't want to waste more time watching a frustrating game. In retrospect, I'm glad I did. I went back this morning and watched the highlights/lowlights and read some game articles. It went about the way I thought it would - a comeback attempt that falls short.

A few thoughts from the Tampa side :

1) Hoping for a home split and then a best of three series. Home ice doesn't seem to matter much.

2) Vasi is not his usual dominating self. He's not dialed in and it's obvious now how much the Bolts have taken his stellar goaltending for granted. He is truly the team MVP and if he doesn't put the goalie voodoo on the Leafs soon, then I'm not confident the Bolts win this series or even go to 7 games.

3) Point is definitely playing through an injury. I'm curious to see what it is once the playoffs is over. I wonder if it's related to his shoulder injury that caused him to miss time this season. Next to Vasi, Point is probably the MVP. A lot is said about Hedman, Stamkos, and Ducherov, but Point is the best zone-entry forward the Bolts have. Without his dynamic play and creative zone entries, the Lightning's offense flounders and is prone to turnovers and counterattacks off the rush.

4) Sergachev has been disappointing this post season so far.

5) Leafs PP is too dangerous to phuck around with. Stay out of the box.

6) Credit to the Leafs for neutralizing the Bolts big guns. Stamkos, Kucherov, and Point are largely invisible.

7) The post season is hell on my liver every year. You'd think I would learn and take up needlepoint or something.
- GalacticStone

Just curious, you pointed out giving credit to the Leafs for neutralizing your big guns, but do you think maybe you could say the same about Vasi? It seems like you have a couple opinions that are "Leafs are good, making these guys look bad" and a couple that are "these guys look bad on their own."

Its definitely a subtle difference, but there is one. Not saying you're wrong or anything, just curious if maybe Vasi is still himself, but the Leafs have an offense that's just straight up not to be (frank)ed with. But you'd know better, and maybe he's not as dialed in as you'd expect.

Vasilevskiy has looked pretty good to me, honestly, not letting in very many, if any stinkers, but the Leafs just keep pushing and he is only human.

I think we'll know for sure next game as the Leafs test the 15-0 record after a loss. IMO that is crazy telling. If the Leafs take the next game and make that 15-1, I think this series is curtains.

Wow that was a horrible call on the review. They could have basically just ended the series for Nashville. Not that Nashville was going to win anyway.

Who sat for Holl last night?

Who sat for Holl last night?
- gravyface

Lilybust

Shhhhhhhhhh


As for the forwards I’m willing to bet that Kerfoot and Bunting get flipped back and forth… it will be dependant on if Keefe is trying to be offensive or defensive I think

As for the D men I prefer Holl over Liljegren when it comes to having to play such physical games
- Dozzer

Agree, I think Bunting only really fits on line 1. I don’t see him bringing anything to line 4 or line 2-3 really. I don’t find he has much defense.

So Caps spank the Panters 6-1 and Ovi and Kuznetsov were both a -1
- UsernameUnknown

I think it was Steve Dangle who called the Panthers a fake good team

That’s an open ended phrase but I think there is some truth to it…they have the talent of the avs but brutal structure and team D.

Not to mention Bob has yet to ever play well in the playoffs. Freddy vibes from him.

We’ll see but caps need to win 2 and the Panthers need 3…could go either way now.

Holl hatred is absurd. It’s like people expect him to play like a star.

I know he’s not amazing but he’s better physically than Liljegren is and that’s what the leafs need on the back end right now
- Dozzer

There's always one guy, once Marincin was gone someone else had to take his place.

Lilybust
- bobbyisno1

I wouldn't be shocked if Keefe puts him back in for game 5. He may have changed the line up not only for the bigger body in Holl but the fact he doesn't have last change anymore so he can't protect Lilybust as he did in games 1 and 2.

I think it was Steve Dangle who called the Panthers a fake good team

That’s an open ended phrase but I think there is some truth to it…they have the talent of the avs but brutal structure and team D.

Not to mention Bob has yet to ever play well in the playoffs. Freddy vibes from him.

We’ll see but caps need to win 2 and the Panthers need 3…could go either way now.
- Santo_44

The Panthers and Leafs are very close analogues.

I like Dangle but he's flirting with a very hot take here. FLA is legit but the margins are thin.

I wouldn't be shocked if Keefe puts him back in for game 5. He may have changed the line up not only for the bigger body in Holl but the fact he doesn't have last change anymore so he can't protect Lilybust as he did in games 1 and 2.
- Aaron_85

Holl doesn't need protection?

Holl doesn't need protection?
- mjones242

Not as much as Liljegren or else he'd be in

Kevin McGran
@kevin_mcgran
· 8h
Jon Cooper on playing the #Leafs
"Goal scoring against these guys, that's not a worry."

Kevin McGran
@kevin_mcgran
· 8h
Jon Cooper on playing the #Leafs
"Goal scoring against these guys, that's not a worry."
- Santo_44

Well he isnt wrong. They can score. They just cant stop the Leafs from scoring on them more!🤣🤣🤣

I know people hate him but I’m glad Ovie scored because I want Florida to go down
- Dozzer

I rather draw the caps in round 2.

Kevin McGran
@kevin_mcgran
· 8h
Jon Cooper on playing the #Leafs
"Goal scoring against these guys, that's not a worry."
- Santo_44

Brodie is a +7, not scoring when he is out there.

Kevin McGran
@kevin_mcgran
· 8h
Jon Cooper on playing the #Leafs
"Goal scoring against these guys, that's not a worry."
- Santo_44

I wonder if he's using it as motivation to help his team through the media. Trying to give a bit of confidence to his group.

Even the best goalies needs some puck luck and D help...

I think if the leafs win they take it in game 5. Toronto will be buzzing Tuesday, unlike game 5 against mtl when there were no fans.

Kevin McGran
@kevin_mcgran
· 8h
Jon Cooper on playing the #Leafs
"Goal scoring against these guys, that's not a worry."
- Santo_44

2.33<4.33 hmmm.

Just curious, you pointed out giving credit to the Leafs for neutralizing your big guns, but do you think maybe you could say the same about Vasi? It seems like you have a couple opinions that are "Leafs are good, making these guys look bad" and a couple that are "these guys look bad on their own."

Its definitely a subtle difference, but there is one. Not saying you're wrong or anything, just curious if maybe Vasi is still himself, but the Leafs have an offense that's just straight up not to be (frank)ed with. But you'd know better, and maybe he's not as dialed in as you'd expect.

Vasilevskiy has looked pretty good to me, honestly, not letting in very many, if any stinkers, but the Leafs just keep pushing and he is only human.

I think we'll know for sure next game as the Leafs test the 15-0 record after a loss. IMO that is crazy telling. If the Leafs take the next game and make that 15-1, I think this series is curtains.
- UsernameUnknown

I'm sure somebody could dig up the fancy stats, but the eye test tells me that both things can be true : the Leafs have lethal shooters and Vasi is not dialed in.

Looking at Vasi's playoff history and his history against the Leafs in both the regular and postseason, its pretty clear to me that Vasi is not playing at peak level. A team is usually lucky to get two pucks past Vasilevskiy and rarely three or more. Sure, he's made some ringer saves, but not nearly as many as he usually does. While some of that failure can rightfully be chalked up to Matthews and crew, one cannot deny that Vasi has looked rather ordinary this postseason.

We'll see how he bounces back (or not). Next game is likely the series.