Round 1: Lightning (A2) vs. Red Wings (A3)

[Kin]

Tampa's facing elimination tonight, I don't think very many people had Detroit winning this one. The Lightning actually seemed like the team most people had coming out of the East (seemed like it was either them or the Rangers generally).

No Lightning player aside from Tyler Johnson has more than 1 goal. Johnson actually has as many goals as the rest of the teams forwards do combined. Stamkos has 0 goals and 2 assists in the series so far.

It's interesting but I've always dismissed the possibility of Stamkos hitting the UFA market as the sort of stuff that people around here say to kid themselves but after seeing him get less ice time than Fillpula and Johnson the last few games it does raise an interesting question for Tampa. Given that market value for Stamkos might be in the 12-13 million dollar range, are they going to be comfortable paying him that much when they don't seem all that interested/capable of leaning on him in situations like this?

This isn't like one of those situations like Washington or Pittsburgh might have had where their stars had a bad playoffs or whatever. Stamkos does sort of seem to have been supplanted a little in Tampa.

 

[A finnish leaf fan]

It's interesting but I've always dismissed the possibility of Stamkos hitting the UFA market as the sort of stuff that people around here say to kid themselves but after seeing him get less ice time than Fillpula and Johnson the last few games it does raise an interesting question for Tampa. Given that market value for Stamkos might be in the 12-13 million dollar range, are they going to be comfortable paying him that much when they don't seem all that interested/capable of leaning on him in situations like this?

This isn't like one of those situations like Washington or Pittsburgh might have had where their stars had a bad playoffs or whatever. Stamkos does sort of seem to have been supplanted a little in Tampa.

Stamkos just hasn't been the same since he had the knee injury last season. I'm hoping the Leafs aren't going at him with league maximum if he happens to hit the UFA market - while he's still an elite player it looks like he's not gonna perform at a level warranting that much money anymore. Having said that, part of his scoring woes can directly be attributed to missing Marty St. Louis though, especially on the PP. While Filppula is as good as St. Louis at dishing the puck, he literally never shoots it, making it easier for opponents to leave him open and concentrate on taking Stamkos out. If the Bolts had another shooting threat on their #1 PP Stamkos's scoring should be up a notch again.

 

[Kin]

I'm hoping the Leafs aren't going at him with league maximum if he happens to hit the UFA market - while he's still an elite player it looks like he's not gonna perform at a level warranting that much money anymore. Having said that, part of his scoring woes can directly be attributed to missing Marty St. Louis though, especially on the PP. While Filppula is as good as St. Louis at dishing the puck, he literally never shoots it, making it easier for opponents to leave him open and concentrate on taking Stamkos out. If the Bolts had another shooting threat on their #1 PP Stamkos's scoring should be up a notch again.

Since the knee injury he's scored 54 goals in 103 games. I haven't watched him enough to know if his skating/two-way play has been affected but that seems at or near the level where that sort of contract is going to be relatively appropriate, especially as you say considering that he's been playing with some questionable linemates.

 

[LuncheonMeat]

I'm hoping the Leafs aren't going at him with league maximum if he happens to hit the UFA market - while he's still an elite player it looks like he's not gonna perform at a level warranting that much money anymore. Having said that, part of his scoring woes can directly be attributed to missing Marty St. Louis though, especially on the PP. While Filppula is as good as St. Louis at dishing the puck, he literally never shoots it, making it easier for opponents to leave him open and concentrate on taking Stamkos out. If the Bolts had another shooting threat on their #1 PP Stamkos's scoring should be up a notch again.

Since the knee injury he's scored 54 goals in 103 games. I haven't watched him enough to know if his skating/two-way play has been affected but that seems at or near the level where that sort of contract is going to be relatively appropriate, especially as you say considering that he's been playing with some questionable linemates.

Stamkos also had his worst season in terms of shooting percentage since he entered the league in 2008 at 16% (17.2% career - not too shabby).  This after having years of 19.8, 18.5 and 20.2 over the 3 seasons prior to this one.  He took 268 shots this season, also a little bit below his average.  Maybe he's having a bit of a down year, but that's setting the bar pretty low on 'down'.  His assists are definitely down, so maybe that does implicate his linemates?

Honestly, the guy played in all 82 games this year so it's hard to believe his knee is still giving him trouble.  Either way, if he hits the market I would be more than happy to see the Leafs give him full term.  If they don't, someone else will, and how often do you have a chance to sign a star in their prime?

 

[CarltonTheBear]

[tweet]592843848298188803[/tweet]
[tweet]592844221092073475[/tweet]

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Watching bits of both games tonight. Pretty amazing to see the difference in reff'ing in each of them. WAS-NYI are allowing people to get away with murder, DET-TB is calling every single thing, including a slash on Tampa while they were already short.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

And the Wings finally cash in on their 5th powerplay. 3-1 Tampa. Thinking the calls might start to slow down for Detroit now.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

[tweet]592853517896941568[/tweet]

NOW they stop calling penalties! Left his feet before impact, led with his elbow, head principle (and only) point of contact. Lets see if the NHL gives him a call tomorrow.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

[tweet]593049236826103810[/tweet]

I honestly can't see the DOPS having the cojones to suspend Detroit's best defenceman for a game 7. I'm guessing they just give him a fine.

 

[Kin]

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Kronwall suspended a game:
[tweet]593181929425473537[/tweet]

Obviously didn't see that coming. Good on them.

 

[Heroic Shrimp]

Kronwall suspended a game:
[tweet]593181929425473537[/tweet]

Obviously didn't see that coming. Good on them.

I was going to say that I'm astounded by the outrage in response on Twitter, but then I realized that I'm talking about Twitter.

Good call, and glad to see they made it.

 

[Heroic Shrimp]

If Tampa loses this game and Stamkos doesn't stand out, we all need to collectively impersonate Tampa fans and relentlessly bitch and whine to all Tampa media about how much Stamkos sucks.  We need to drive him out of town heading into his UFA year.  Do it, people!

 

[Coco-puffs]

If Tampa loses this game and Stamkos doesn't stand out, we all need to collectively impersonate Tampa fans and relentlessly witch and whine to all Tampa media about how much Stamkos sucks.  We need to drive him out of town heading into his UFA year.  Do it, people!

We need to troll him by saying the Lighting are now Tyler Johnson's team!

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I didn't realize this before, but with Garrison returning from injury the Lightning played with 11 forwards and 7 defencemen in game 6, and will do that again in game 7:

Killorn-Filppula-Paquette
Palat-Johnson-Kucherov
Boyle-Stamkos-Callahan
Morrow-Namestnikov

Hedman-Stralman
Garrison-Coburn
Carle-Sustr
Nesterov

Their scratches included Drouin and J.T. Brown, so they have 2 healthy forwards who can play. But it's tough to blame them with the way Sustr and Nesterov have played.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Zidlicky's out with a concussion too, Wings blue line looks like this:

Ericsson-Marchenko
DeKeyser-Quincey
Smith-Kindl

Looks like a group that could use Phaneuf to me!

 

[Heroic Shrimp]

Zidlicky's out with a concussion too, Wings blue line looks like this:

Ericsson-Marchenko
DeKeyser-Quincey
Smith-Kindl

Looks like a group that could use Phaneuf to me!

On one hand, I want Detroit to lose and make them motivated to trade for Phaneuf.  On the other hand, I want Tampa to lose to motivate Stamkos to leave.  I'm torn tonight...

 

[Coco-puffs]

Zidlicky's out with a concussion too, Wings blue line looks like this:

Ericsson-Marchenko
DeKeyser-Quincey
Smith-Kindl

Looks like a group that could use Phaneuf to me!

On one hand, I want Detroit to lose and make them motivated to trade for Phaneuf.  On the other hand, I want Tampa to lose to motivate Stamkos to leave.  I'm torn tonight...

Furthermore, Red Wings win and beat Montreal and the Nashville pick moves up a spot.....  but I really like that team in Tampa.... so torn!

 

[Frank E]

First playoff game I plan on watching from start to finish.

Don't disappoint me.

 

[Frank E]

I think Stamkos is playing injured...he just doesn't have that jump.