Central Playoffs: 2. Florida Panthers vs 3. Tampa Bay Lightning

[Daydream Nation]

Between Kucherov, the Leafs, and in previous seasons Kane i think the League takes a look at this and tries to limit it more. I don't think they force it going into this season because of just the leagues money situation right now, I don't think the League would try to stop any cap stuff right now.

But in a couple of yrs, maybe the league enforces "is a player legitimately hurt for LTIR" a bit more. I have NO idea how you would manage that though.

The answer is pretty simple- make the salary cap apply to the playoffs. I saw somewhere today that Tampa has a 96 million dollar cap right now.

[Sidenown]

I appreciate all the more fully formed thoughts put forward here but dang THAT WAS FUN!

[DusterDave]

Late entry but in my NHL Bracket Challenge I went with Tampa in 6.

[newfcollins]

So I predict Florida to go far. I took them in every pool. Last night, I did my only money pool of the season. It's $40, 10 rounds and the top three pay. I had the 12th pick out of 12. It gets down to me, and no one had taken any Tampa players (a lot of Leafs fans: I think four were gone in the first round). So I grabbed Kucherov and Point. Then it gets back to me for picks #36 and #37, and Stamkos was the only other Lightning player taken, so I grabbed Hedman and Palat. Grabbed Gourde later.

Basically, only three other Tampa players were drafted aside from the five I grabbed, all by different people. So even though I believe Florida can win the series and go far, I now need to cheer against Florida and hope Tampa can make it to the end.

[PenguinHunter]

So I predict Florida to go far. I took them in every pool. Last night, I did my only money pool of the season. It's $40, 10 rounds and the top three pay. I had the 12th pick out of 12. It gets down to me, and no one had taken any Tampa players (a lot of Leafs fans: I think four were gone in the first round). So I grabbed Kucherov and Point. Then it gets back to me for picks #36 and #37, and Stamkos was the only other Lightning player taken, so I grabbed Hedman and Palat. Grabbed Gourde later.

Basically, only three other Tampa players were drafted aside from the five I grabbed, all by different people. So even though I believe Florida can win the series and go far, I now need to cheer against Florida and hope Tampa can make it to the end.

Its crazy how many people were discounting Tampa in playoff drafts. A tonne of concern I guess over Kucherov not playing all year, Stamkos and Hedman injuries.

We need to remember that Tampa won the cup last year and Stamkos only played one half of a game.

With Kuvherov and Stamkos both in the lineup, they should be able to put together a nice little stretch!

[kovalchuk17]

this game was great for the NHL. good time slot between 2 good teams in a non-traditional market that went absolutely fireworks. skill and will were plentiful from both teams throughout the game.

kucherov faked me out of my couch too on point's goal. what an adjustment to sell shooting but actually passing right into the slot. i had kucherov on IR all season and have had exploratory discussed to trade him (i won my league without him) but man maybe i shouldnt trade him and stamkos.....

[Axeman33]

Sam Bennett suspended one game for his hit from behind on Blake Coleman

https://twitter.com/NHLPlayerSafety/...57459507163138

[2014olympicgold]

Dreidger the starter in game2

[tweetdrivr]

Dreidger the starter in game2

https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/21...2-vs-lightning

Yep. I like the move.

[hockeyrobot]

One start since April 26......I do not like the move.

[2014olympicgold]

Man they abandoned Bob quickly.

This was always the risk of 2 goalies going into the playoffs. There's the possibility where you have to make a choice, and it distracts you from other issues.

If it was just Bob, or just Dreidger, you can just think "Well we gotta ride with this guy. Dman, this is your chance to show people who you are!". Instead it's "ok, well lets try this before we start doing other stuff". Or "Do this and this" which in a short series, can complicate things.

I do not know what I could do as a coach in these situations. You either look like a genius or it's something that could haunt you forever.

[tweetdrivr]

They made this problem for themselves by insisting on playing the clearly inferior goalie because of his contract.

[2014olympicgold]

They made this problem for themselves by insisting on playing the clearly inferior goalie because of his contract.

Well that's not an uncommon situation when it comes to having 2 no1 options. The statement of "If a team has 2 QBs, they have no QBs" can be said about goalies too.

[kovalchuk17]

so if Driedger loses also, Spencer Knight for game 3? hahaha

[Feenom]

One start since April 26......I do not like the move.

Agreed, to the wolves with him.