See Red

48 minutes ago, DoctorWhom said:

If it was 2-2 instead of 3-2 I get they should be worried. But they've been the better team for most of the series. 

Dropping 2 or even 3 straight is really just crazy for a team as good as the Avalanche. 

I'm obviously biased but I don't know if I agree they've been better.  Their only scoring in regulation the last two games have been on flukey deflections, or the first goal tonight with Vasy just dropping the puck. Which, sure, those count, but you can't count on those goals.  Outside of game 4 OT, I think the Lightning have been better in the last 3 (very marginally so in the last two).  My money would still be on Colorado if I were a betting man, but I like Tampa's chances at home and then would you bet against Vasy, who has been lights out since game 2, in a game 7?

1 hour ago, IceCap said:

The Lightning probably lose to the Leafs in six if they're not gifted two bull  highsticking penalties in quick succession. 

 

So... I donno... deal with it?

I mean, Kerfoot on Hedman was pretty clearly a high-stick.  Beyond that, I think what I said -- which is basically that it's whatever,  that both teams benefitted from non-calls in the game, and acknowledging the Lightning have benefitted from missed calls in the past -- is dealing with it better than, say, "the Leafs have gotten hosed by officiating" and whining about how often the refs bail out the Lightning.

54 minutes ago, DEAD! said:

If people are going back and forth over the ruling, maybe the rule in of itself should be changed. Either a player coming off the bench has to wait until the player complete gets off the ice, or create a exchange zone demarcation like box lacrosse. 

Don't think it needs to be addressed, to be honest.  You can't make it reviewable because changes that violate that five foot rule happen throughout games and that could be a mess.  Plus the rulebook gives the officials discretion.  It was just a missed call... it happens.  I don't think knee jerk reactions to be made to one goal being scored off of that.  Frankly, I'm surprised they can ever call that penalty with how chaotic line changes can be.  If the Avs didn't score then, the goal was probably coming soon after.

What they need to address is officials swallowing their whistles in general because that's when games get chippy and dangerous. They missed at least two blatant penalties on both teams in the last ten or so minutes of the game (a boarding and a tripping on each) which benefits the Lightning since their special teams is dreadful right now.

5 hours ago, JerseyJimmy said:

if you're gonna complain about the other team having six men on the ice, at least make sure your team doesn't have seven first. you know, like in game 2 of the ECF last year.

I literally acknowledged that very goal in my post.  That said, that's a second period goal in a game Tampa Bay would win comfortably.  This was an OT goal. I'd also add that if Kadri isn't on the ice five seconds before his replacement gets to the bench, he's not in position to make that play. But it's whatever, the NHL let's it's refs decide penalties aren't penalties for some reason and both teams were affected by it in the third period.  Tampa's benefitted from it as much as it's hurt them the last few years.   Just crappy to lose on a play that should've twice been blown dead. 

31 minutes ago, FiddySicks said:

Lol, they lost game 2 by a touchdown. Im

not so sure it’s as even as you think it is. 

And they won game 3 in similarly dominant fashion. 

I think game one was relatively even. Lightning had a terrible  first ten minutes or so but the rest of the game was even.  Game 2 happened but game 3 also happened.  And then game 4 was a game TBL probably should've won in regulation if not for a few unlucky bounces.

I mean... is two OT games and then a blow out each way not relatively even?

Insult to injury that it probably should've been too many men on the ice on the last goal (I'm sure the resident Islanders fan here has no problem with that) and whistled dead even before then for being played with  high stick. Sports are stupid. 

27 minutes ago, habsfan1 said:

The Avs played what seemed like the best game to their abilities. All 4 lines performed. The Avs players all played like they're hungry for their first Cup. Most of the Lightning players already won it twice.

 

It's not over, though. A 2-time Cup winner doesn't win 2 straight Cups without being able to handle and overcome adversity. Game 5 is not in the bag, for Colorado. They're going to need a mega performance, even if by chance the Avs get a lead by several goals.

Oh I thought this was a game TB should have won in regulation. That first period was, imo, the best they've looked in this series.  Colorado did dominate overtime, though.

3 minutes ago, habsfan1 said:

I hope the Avs don't choke.

I put it at zero chance. Lightning look too tired to win three straight with two of them at altitude. 

Well that's frustrating. A couple lucky bounce goals sends it to OT and the Avs win. Frustrating. Down 3-1 and have played pretty evenly. 

Obviously looked much better tonight and Vasy is regaining his form.  Kucherov getting hurt isn't ideal, though.

Lightning are a mess right now. Low effort, undisciplined.  I'm of the belief that anything after 2 cups is icing on the cake but this is embarrassing. 

37 minutes ago, JerseyJimmy said:

speaking of the lightning getting every lucky break in the world and the canadian teams being in a cup drought, we should have a gentleman's agreement to acknowledge calgary as the 2004 champions.

I know the Lightning kept your team from gooning their way into the Stanley Cup Finals twice but I think you should still be able to objectively recognize the greatness of this Lightning team. 

2 hours ago, DoctorWhom said:

Remember Leafs, as you watch Tampa celebrate (again), that could have been you. 

 

Thankfully I feel like the Avalanche matchup really well against Tampa. 

I think this is clearly the Lightning's most difficult Finals matchup of these last three runs.  I don't actually hate the matchup from a TB perspective, though.  Either Kemper or Francouz will be welcome site after playing Bobrovsky and Shesterkin and Vasi is a giant step up from any goalie the Avs have played this postseason.  Curious to see how the Avs respond to the Lightning's grind-it-out style and ability to clog up the offensive zone.  Not sure anybody in the west made them win that way.   Should be a good series!  Can go either way!

Also, Lightning might still get Point back. 

They would suspend Trouba if they gave a  about player safety.  Luckily he missed but this is pretty blatant headhunting from a guy with a history of headhunting.

Lightning look sloppy.

Rangers look good, though. Constant pressure. 

3 hours ago, habsfan1 said:

 

They were the correct calls, though. Refs only doing their job lol.

The first one technically was right but there's no way you can say there's conclusive evidence when it took them eight minutes to review.   At that point it's down to whether you think it's better the officials unintentionally missed a call or intentionally disregarded the rules to call the goal off because they probably got it wrong. 

Thankfully Vasi exists and it didn't matter either way.  Speaking of Vasi, though... he's 27 years old and probably a lock for the Hall of Fame, which is crazy.  Has a .995 sv% in his last seven series clinching games. 

Vasilevskiy is unreal.

1 hour ago, TalktoChuck said:

I try not be the bash the refs guy, and in this case the terrible calls seem to be cancelling each other out, but this whole Edmonton/Calgary crew should be fired after this game.

I don't know why they still let Chris Lee officiate any game, let alone a playoff game. He is the one that called game 4 of the MTL/LV game last year and he's the one who let the goon in Long Island break Kucherov's ribs.  Wiped out two goals tonight.  He's somehow worse than the guy caught on mic talking about a phantom call.

5 hours ago, spartacat_12 said:

 

You must have the NHL confused with the NBA because setting a pick is against the rules in hockey.

I know it's very rarely called but its also rarely that blatant on top of leading directly to a prime scoring chance.  He stares Cirelli down, makes a late swerve to get directly in his way, and initiates contact. I don't understand why anyone would think that shouldn't have been called.  Also, contrary to what people think, the whistle was blown before the shot. 

Oettinger was incredible. He deserved better.

Suns with 27 points, down 30 at halftime. Yikes!

53 minutes ago, DoctorWhom said:

Leafs did exactly what was expected of them.

They probably blew not only their best chance of getting out of the first round, but maybe even winning the Cup. 

 

Also, anyone else getting sick of Tampa now? They're dangerously close to becoming the NHL's Warriors. 

You are not. Go to r/hockey... they're all sick of Tampa. They were over Tampa last year with the whole Kucherov LTIR thing, which is just sour grapes. 

Bummer we don't go straight to a salty Bisonnette in-studio.

Point is so clutch!

Tampa looks like two cup runs has taken its toll. Tired and slow. 

The Jacksonville Jaguars, everybody!

What a terrible pick. 

None of these guys would be the top 3 picks in, like, any other draft. Not sure Walker should've gone first round, even. 

Thought this was a pretty good dig at Yankees fans.