Hard to believe the team could've responded with a worse performance after game 1, but they did. Kuch was laughably bad, but so was basically everyone else. Stamkos misses two gimme that might've swung things, Vasy gives up.another two terrible goals, and the team played like a dumpster fire in front of him. Both home games ate must win now, and unless they actually show up and give a ****, this series is done. Not because the Rangers are any better, but because Tampa is just giving it to them in every facet.

I agree 100%, but why stop there? Give 2 or 3 guys that are hungry and might bring something to this team a chance in favor of guys who are doing absolutely nothing(Killorn, Bogo, Maroon, Hagel etc.), whether because they suck or are too hurt to be effective.

I disagree there. Rangers are a smart team. They've done their homework and know how to beat us. You don't go 5-0 against a team based off luck and poor opposition performance every game.

Only Bogo because we don't need 7 D. If we're going to win, we're going to need our boys to show up. Koepke would be more of a kick in the rear than individual difference maker.

Reg season games meant nothing. Tampa was without Kuch for 2, Vasi in one and one was a game where covid ravaged Tampa. The Rabgers are a solid team, but Tampa is making it ridiculously easy with some of the worst play I've seen all year(and it's not anything NY is doing, but sloppy, more fundamental errors that are leading to extended zone time for them). Tampa has also missed on 95% of their grade As, which they'd normally convert at least some(Stamkos with two wide open nets and effed both). If NY beats Tampa and Tampa actually plays well for more than 5-10 minutes out of 60, I'll be impressed. Until then, Tampa is beating themselves. Neither of these teams is beating g Coloradk anyway from what I've seen(although if Tampa starts to play like they did at the end of Toronto and vs Floroda maybe).

How do you all feel about Hedman lately? Defensively it feels like the only thing he has going for him is having a long reach and being 6-foot-6.

How do you all feel about Hedman lately? Defensively it feels like the only thing he has going for him is having a long reach and being 6-foot-6.

I don't know. It feels like everyone on the team is dealing with some kind of an injury lol.

Heddy is for sure hurt. I'm ready to see Killer step up a bit more too. He half assed a chance 2 seconds before the rags first goal and then kinda quit on the defensive coverage. That two goal swing was, Killer has to be better.

Do you all think we need a functioning top line of Palat-Point-Kuch to win the cup? I think we've proven we're good splitting up those 3 (and completely missing one...), but I think back to 2020 and somewhat last season and just how much they tilted the ice in our favor when they were on together.

The thing with that team was everyone knew their rolls. 1st line through 4th.

With Pointer going down and the middle 6 being in a bit of a blender guys don't seem entirely sure of their roll in the side. Paul was supposed to be a third line guy, now he's in the top 6. Cirelli is kinda doing a shutdown roll but also not. Colton has been all over the lineup.

This year seems far more: "how are we going to go about this?" compared to "this is how we're getting this done!"

#Bolts pregame lines and D-pairings:Palat-Stamkos-KucherovColton-Paul-PerryHagel-Cirelli-KillornMaroon-Bellemare-NashHedman-RuttaMcDonagh-CernakSergachev-Bogosian#NYRvsTBL

— Chris Krenn (@Chris_Krenn) June 5, 2022

All of the line shuffling at the start of the playoffs only to end up where we finished the regular season (minus Point)

Time to move on from Killer.

Time to sign Palat to a lifetime contract

#Bolts Stamkos on Ondrej Palat's 10th career playoff GWG to pass Tyler Johnson for the most in franchise history: "Obviously that's a stat of a player that elevates his game at the time the team needs them the most." (1/3)#NYRvsTBL

— Chris Krenn (@Chris_Krenn) June 5, 2022

Tyler Johnson appreciation post

Lightning have completely flipped the switch since Kreider's PP goal in Game 3. Defense has been terrific, clogging up passing lanes, blocking shots and giving the Rangers fits when they try entering the zone. Offense has gotten several Grade-A chances in the past couple of games, and it's only because of Shesterkin that it hasn't been more lopsided. And thankfully, Vasi is finally back in his usual form. ("VASI'S BETTER" *clap-clap-clapclapclap*)
Here's to this continuing over the rest of the series, and to the Lightning winning the Cup.

Sergy with 2 goals after going goalless in previous 40 playoff games.
Bout damn time! But clutch af.

Edit: oh well, only 1 goal. But good to see Sergy generate in important times.

Palat Conn Smythe?

I think drunk Kuch would be even crazier if Palat won instead of him.
But I'm 100% here for it.

Does TB try to bring him back next year? Or is it a foregone conclusion that he walks after this year.

Depends on how much he wants. If he's keen for the same money or a little less we bring him back.
At 31 chances of him getting term is slim but if we give him a couple extra years, front load the deal somehow to lower the hit, It could happen.

I think the max we can offer, while keeping Paul, is around $4.5m per year. I'd give him full NTC and up to 6 years to make it work. And if he goes lower on money, I'd honestly be ok with 7.

If he wants to go for the money pure and simple, they don't have a chance. But he's indicated that he wants to stay, and JBB wants him back. $4.5 million AAV sounds like a plausible offer, maybe even $5 million (this is assuming they keep Paul, of course). If they trade Killorn though, then I'd be very surprised if they can't keep both Paul and Palat.

I love how different players are stepping up for the Lightning in every game. From Paul to Colton to Perry to Palat to Stammer to Kuch to...Sergachev?! Wow. Love it.

4*6 is 24million.
So we sign him for 3*8.