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

[Axeman33]

This could be an interesting series but Kucherov coming back makes the difference. Bolts in seven.

[hockeyrobot]

This could be an interesting series but Kucherov coming back makes the difference. Bolts in seven.

It's going to take more than a few games to knock that rust off.

[newfcollins]

Another vote for Panthers in six. I think they'll surprise at the start of the series, and Tampa will then be trying to play catch up.

[The Comish]

Tampa in 7, but the series could just as easily go the other way.

[bud6869]

Florida in 7. I think don’t think Kuch and Stammer get it going quick enough...but then again I said that about Stammer last playoffs and look what he did

[4T2]

Tampa in 7 after an all time classic series. I think the Panthers push them to their absolute limit but the returns of Stamkos/Kuch prove to be too much. I have my doubts either will beat 100% to make a deep run though.

[Daydream Nation]

Florida in 7

[FantasyKing]

Tampa in 7

[pmorrow]

I didn't even watch this one but I was keeping an eye on that scoreboard. It looked like a wild ride.

[hockeyrobot]

Yep it lived up to the billing for sure.

[Axeman33]

It was a dandy of a game.

[2014olympicgold]

Someones gonna get hurt badly if that type of physicality continues. There was quite a lot of hit from behinds.

Also, you can't tell me Kucherov wasn't healthy enough to play 1 month ago.

[PenguinHunter]

Kucherov likely could have played a couple weeks ago (similar to Seguin timetable)

But they have been holding back for cap reasons?

Anyways a healthy and up to speed Kucherov (and if Stamkos is back to) - Sweep!

Someones gonna get hurt badly if that type of physicality continues. There was quite a lot of hit from behinds.

Also, you can't tell me Kucherov wasn't healthy enough to play 1 month ago.

Oh yes, he was definitely ready to roll.

That play that he made on the Point PP goal... Everyone in a Panthers uniform, every person in that building AND everyone at home thought he was shooting for the hat trick.

[Dennis]

NHL.com@NHLdotcom

Sam Bennett will have a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety. The Panthers center is facing discipline for boarding Lightning forward Blake Coleman in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup First Round.

[2014olympicgold]

Oh yes, he was definitely ready to roll.

That play that he made on the Point PP goal... Everyone in a Panthers uniform, every person in that building AND everyone at home thought he was shooting for the hat trick.

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.