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R1: Tampa Bay Lightning (A2) vs. Florida Panthers (A3)

CarltonTheBear

CarltonTheBear

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https://twitter.com/x/status/1912319327824466323

Florida Panthers (3A) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (2A)

Game 1: Panthers at Lightning, Tuesday, April 22, 8:30 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN360, TVAS 2
Game 2: Panthers at Lightning, Thursday, April 24, 6:30 p.m. ET; TBS, truTV, Max, SN360, TVAS 2
Game 3: Lightning at Panthers, Saturday, April 26, 1 p.m. ET; TBS, truTV, Max, SN, TVAS
Game 4: Lightning at Panthers, Monday, April 28, TBD
Game 5: Panthers at Lightning, Wednesday, April 30, TBD *
Game 6: Lightning at Panthers, Friday, May 2, TBD *
Game 7: Panthers at Lightning, Sunday, May 4, TBD *

* If necessary
 
This will be the most entertaining matchup of the first round. Two teams with a legit rivalry that have a ton of recent playoff meetings. I expect a heavy hitting, hard fought 7 gamer, hopefully with neither of the goalies being able to get settled into a groove. Bolts in 7.
 
This will be the least entertaining match of round 1. Both teams no longer have the same desire to win the Cup after winning one recently. They will both be trying to keep the physicality to a minimum, in hopes of escaping the first round unscathed. Panthers in 7.
 
Tampa has been remarkably healthy all year and then lost Bjorkstrand late. Florida has a bunch of guys held out but will they be healthy for Game 1.

Hopefully this series lived up to the hype

Lightning in 6
 
dappleganger said:
This will be the least entertaining match of round 1. Both teams no longer have the same desire to win the Cup after winning one recently. They will both be trying to keep the physicality to a minimum, in hopes of escaping the first round unscathed. Panthers in 7.
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I would put money on this being incorrect.

These two teams are architected with winners. The dawg is in their DNA. From ownership to GMs to coaches to forwards and defense and goalies. Once one side digs deep it will activate the other side to do the same.

I pray Tampa wins in 7 bloody games. Because Toronto has the capacity to beat Tampa. But if Panthers win, I don't think Toronto has a hope and I would say Leafs Panthers in 2025 will go just like 2023....a Gentleman's Sweep for Panthers.

Tampa in 7.

And the most entertaining series to watch.

If you want to be the man.... you got to beat the man. WOOooooooo!
 
Ozzie said:
I would put money on this being incorrect.

These two teams are architected with winners. The dawg is in their DNA. From ownership to GMs to coaches to forwards and defense and goalies. Once one side digs deep it will activate the other side to do the same.

I pray Tampa wins in 7 bloody games. Because Toronto has the capacity to beat Tampa. But if Panthers win, I don't think Toronto has a hope and I would say Leafs Panthers in 2025 will go just like 2023....a Gentleman's Sweep for Panthers.

Tampa in 7.

And the most entertaining series to watch.

If you want to be the man.... you got to beat the man. WOOooooooo!
Click to expand...
A Gentleman’s Sweep is losing the first game then winning the next 4, not just winning in 5.
 
Part of the tricky part of assessing these series is looking at how the teams finished the season.
Panthers did not finish very strongly. But I don't think they deeply cared.
Once their playoff spot was secure, it seemed they were mostly interested in resting their players or getting them healthy for the first round. I don't think they were the only team to do this but they seemed to make much more of an effort to do it.
I think this is going to be a tough series. That seems to be the Panthers modus operandi. They're rested up for it. Their defense didn't fall off - just their offense. Those offensive guys are coming back rested.
I could flip a coin on this one. My heart wants Tampa (and I probably give them the edge with their offense) because that would be a better (not easy) matchup for our Leafs.
I think it will be an entertaining, hotly contested series.
 
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