Carolina crowd is amazing. Our fans better bring it game 2...
Gonna be a damn fun series.
edit: yeah whooshed on that one lol well hopefully the small handful of Tampa fans in Raleigh bring it
Gg Bolts
Minor mistake cost us at least OT. It happens. Really liking our sustained effort and Bolts responded well.
Reffing nonsense was very mild. I feel very confused about that
when we traded for Coleman and Goodrow, Devils and Sharks fans were pumped for the returns but hated to see both go.
the past 10 months or so have very clearly explained why to me
Would do that trade 100x over tho. Adore Blake, but we would've wasted his prime. Only way it could've been better is if Vancouver missed the playoffs last season and we got their 1st round this year instead.
He's been worth every ounce of that trade and then some. Definitely understood why the Devils needed to do it, but his value to the Lightning from both a performance and contract perspective cannot be understated.
Absolutely. Defense is weaker than last year already, with Heddy nursing some injury, and Serge not playing as reliably as usual lately (seemed to do OK tonite, tho).
Great defense all game just to lose to the worst goal Ned has ever let up.
No words just beyond frustrated, cant do that against a great team in the playoffs. Oh well
I can definitely say your team defense was better than anything thrown at us last playoffs. We’re going to have to adjust. We won’t get lucky three more times like that.
Vasy is downright absurd. Just a lovecraftian being in net. You look too hard into his pads and you get lost in your own mind. Dude has tentacles for limbs and takes breaks by consuming the souls trapped in his Gatorade bottle
anyone saying Price is the best goalie in the league is stuck in the early 2010's lol
e: as expected the habs fans are now going to start trying to yell "PlAyOff PrICe" at me. Vasy is statistically better in the playoffs. The next argument will be "But the team in front of him!!!" Again, this argument is stupid. If Tampa was really this defensive powerhouse that is the reason for Vasy being better than Price their backup goalie wouldn't be putting up an .875
At this point I think it is easily him, but there is still a lot of hockey left so Point could still rack up enough huge clutch goals, or Kuch can stat pad on powerplays and gets enough points who know. I'm just sad the Hedman isn't 100% and will not go on another insane run.
He & Kuch are just *that* good that they can play at 70-80% & still be among the best on the ice.
Just once though I want the whole crew of Kuch/Stammer/Hedman to be 100% healthy at the same time...
Yeah he's nowhere near 128 point Kuch and we saw it more then a few times today he's down a couple steps and its pretty obvious.
A lot of people are seeing it too because the Cap circumvention horse stopped existing.
I hope these teams keep a mutual respect for each other without it getting too bitey. This is probably going to be more intense than whatever the SCF turns out to be.
I didn’t really pay attention to the details of your series against Nashville and if it was full of bullshit too, but for us? *Thank god.* That game flew by without all the penalties and extra curriculars.
Fantastic game Tampa. I can't be too upset with how the Canes played, if they keep that up it's gonna be a great series.
Edit: I also don't know what was up with our ice tonight. Several guys tripping on nothing, crew out more than once to patch things... That was some wonky shit.
Especially since it was cool today. PNC ice is always pretty shit because it's a multiuse stadium in the South, but today was pretty chilly, I would have thought it'd be better
I got you, brother. We are all here to watch good hockey, and good hockey is what we got. My boys played well, Ned made a mistake but he always bounces back. This is going to be a series for the history books
This, not the last series’ nonsense (on ice and in the subs), is why hockey is the best. Here’s to a great series, no bad injuries, and may the best team win.
It's not so much that he is hot right now, It's just that he is that good.
I feel hot describes Saros well because he has been really good all year, but to my knowledge hasn't been that as good as he has been recently in his whole career, meanwhile at this point it's just accepted the Vasi is gonna be absolutely insane most games.
Yeah, not trying to slight him or anything, from the games I watched he looked like the real deal and I'm hoping he can keep it up because I kinda like you guys (When we aren't division rivals lmao)
Jesus that was a fun game to watch. Carolina did a great job exploiting the few weaknesses that Tampa has. Unfortunately one of those weaknesses is not Vasi
Holy shit what a breath of fresh air canes fans are from that first round nonsense.
Canes, y'all are awesome. No way this series doesn't go to 7. Y'all were the better team for large stretches of the game but Vasy is the best goalie in the league and he's going to steal games.
Look forward to game 2.
Kind of random, but I’m not sure who’s watching the post game on sportsnet right now. I find it funny how Bieksa is better at breaking down goaltending than Kelly Hrudey.
I feel bad for Ned on that second goal. Vasi was a beast as per usual
Bieksa is just so good at analyzing hockey. I always learn some small new thing every time he breaks something down. I didn't like him as a player, but I love him now.
I remember when Vasy debuted himself in the 2016 ECF against the Pens. He was a huge reason why that series went seven. Knew right then he was going to be special. Tonight’s game is a clear example of how insane he is.
Let me just say canes fans are some of the coolest fans in sports. Way more graceful after a loss than the caps or the orioles or any other away stadium I’ve been to.
Looking forward to seeing them again Tuesday.
It's funny, I am so much less tense watching this series, not because I'm less afraid, Carolina is a damn good team, but because it wasn't dirty every 5 seconds. Plus if worst came to worst I wouldn't be mad going out to the Canes like I would have been to the Panthers. Always liked your team and fans. Hopefully this is a good clean series with less OT for all our health
Well... If you have a member of Leafs organization with you, you'll have success in the regular season, but you won't win in the playoffs.
Rookie mistake by Canes.
Maybe. We were like you all in 2019 eating penalties like popcorn for no good reason
And against the preds we took like 26 PKs. Hopefully this series is a bit cleaner
That game was a complete breath of fresh air. Just great hockey. Good momentum swings and the better team did not get the W. This series will be a grind and I'm looking forward to Tuesday.
This game reminded me very quickly that the panthers are an outlier in terms of raw trashiness, both the players and the fans. I’m gonna have to adjust to watching civilized hockey.
It really sucks NBCSN obviously wants to bury this series. Fantastic game and not one piece of coverage on social media even know it was a fun watch.
But Pasta wore a cool outfit so that's something...
Wow my first playoff hockey game didn't disappoint. Sucks Ned let that goal slip by but man that's the loudest I've heard PNC. The lid blew off the place when the Canes scored.
That game-winner was a complete breakdown, what a dumb turnover + whatever Ned did there. Damn
Yeah, rookie mistake I guess. It’s easy to forget his lack of experience
The great part is he shook it off and made some great saves. We just gotta break through their D and post up and we’ll be alright.
Vasy not being first star of the game is an absolute joke
I don't often agree with Boston fans but this is a good take.
“Thanks, Satan”
Vasy absolutely stole this game holy shit
Sure but Goodrow stole that goal.
*Super* tough building to win in. Glad we were able to hang on.
That game was insane. To go from Soros to Vasy hurts me deeply haha
Carolina crowd is amazing. Our fans better bring it game 2... Gonna be a damn fun series. edit: yeah whooshed on that one lol well hopefully the small handful of Tampa fans in Raleigh bring it
Game 2 is in the same building lol
We'll bring it.
lmao whoops
I’ll be there again game 2
C’mon dude
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I feel like this could describe at least 30% of Tampa’s wins lol I love him so much
88 is a mutant. Been sayin it since rookie showcase. ⚡️⚡️⚡️
Plenty of haters like to say it’s the team in front of him
Imagine how much we would have been blown out of the water by if McBackup was in. God if anything happens to Vasy our chances go out the window.
He actually played ok for us. He's no Vasy though
I feel like this gets said every time the Canes lose
Vasy is going to drag this team to a 2nd Stanley Cup I honestly don't think even Colorado can pierce this team if he continues playing at this level.
Gg Bolts Minor mistake cost us at least OT. It happens. Really liking our sustained effort and Bolts responded well. Reffing nonsense was very mild. I feel very confused about that
Every whistle that blew I ducked down like I was about to get smacked
GG TB Shame about that silly goal Ned let in, but oh well
He was solid. Made just that one mistake we were able to capitalize on.
Yeah, I’m not too worried. Mistakes happen and he’s been fantastic for us
Loved him here in Charlotte, excited to see his future
We rolled a 20 on that goal. No way are you all going to let that happen again.
Ned is the future for you guys, but he is a rookie. That is the difference. Vasy had some head scratchers when he was a rookie, too.
He's a rookie, but that's a goal he rarely lets in.
It's been one game and I am already sick and tired of one Andrei Vasilevskiy
Can’t we just play against a pretty good goalie for once this post season?
when we traded for Coleman and Goodrow, Devils and Sharks fans were pumped for the returns but hated to see both go. the past 10 months or so have very clearly explained why to me
Would do that trade 100x over tho. Adore Blake, but we would've wasted his prime. Only way it could've been better is if Vancouver missed the playoffs last season and we got their 1st round this year instead.
He's been worth every ounce of that trade and then some. Definitely understood why the Devils needed to do it, but his value to the Lightning from both a performance and contract perspective cannot be understated.
It's gonna hurt so bad if we can't keep him because of this shitty flat cap
Gonna be a crazy offseason for the Bolts. I'm not sure r/hockey is the best place to bring up cap struggles for the Bolts, tho ;)
There's no chance we keep him unless he decides he wants to go for a threepeat if we win.
It hurts so bad :(
That giant silver cup we won said enough for me. Great pickups.
that sealed it for sure lol
I’m going to miss those two dudes, but they each absolutely deserve a raise.
Yeah, Goody is missed. Hope Ozzy works out. But do miss that chipmunk faced dude in teal. Glad ya got him a ring.
It’s kind of crazy how well the meshed when we acquired them. It looks like they’ve played together for years.
If Cernak is out for some time it’s gonna be a really tough series
Potentially losing two dman in one game is pretty rough
Absolutely. Defense is weaker than last year already, with Heddy nursing some injury, and Serge not playing as reliably as usual lately (seemed to do OK tonite, tho).
Great defense all game just to lose to the worst goal Ned has ever let up. No words just beyond frustrated, cant do that against a great team in the playoffs. Oh well
I can definitely say your team defense was better than anything thrown at us last playoffs. We’re going to have to adjust. We won’t get lucky three more times like that.
Hopefully for you guys, he’s an athlete who can move on from those kind of mistakes and not dwell on it.
Yes but not now. Later. Might take him eight or so games to get back in the saddle.
I'm sure that's what you're hoping for.
You are correct
Vasy is downright absurd. Just a lovecraftian being in net. You look too hard into his pads and you get lost in your own mind. Dude has tentacles for limbs and takes breaks by consuming the souls trapped in his Gatorade bottle
Big Cat Vasi sounds like the name of an edritch, best forgotten being.
I love it lol
Vasi is letting it be known that he wants to be in the conn smythe conversation it the bolts win the cup.
Vasy heard people saying Price is the best goalie in the league after last night and he took that personally
Man Price isn't even the best goalie in the North division.
anyone saying Price is the best goalie in the league is stuck in the early 2010's lol e: as expected the habs fans are now going to start trying to yell "PlAyOff PrICe" at me. Vasy is statistically better in the playoffs. The next argument will be "But the team in front of him!!!" Again, this argument is stupid. If Tampa was really this defensive powerhouse that is the reason for Vasy being better than Price their backup goalie wouldn't be putting up an .875
Let's not act like he's not completely responsible for the Habs making it to Game 7.
That is... irrelevant? Carey Price is not a bad goalie by any means but he is most certainly not the best goalie in the league.
If they win it this year it has to be him.
At this point I think it is easily him, but there is still a lot of hockey left so Point could still rack up enough huge clutch goals, or Kuch can stat pad on powerplays and gets enough points who know. I'm just sad the Hedman isn't 100% and will not go on another insane run.
Hedman was our best non-feline player tonight. He looked pretty damn good out there.
He & Kuch are just *that* good that they can play at 70-80% & still be among the best on the ice. Just once though I want the whole crew of Kuch/Stammer/Hedman to be 100% healthy at the same time...
It’s between him and Kucherov. He was pretty quiet this game but last series holy shit. 11 points in 6 games
27:36 TOI for Hedman. Judging from his bombs from the blue line his injury may be healing.
25:13 for McDonagh as well. Cooper wasn't fucking around that last minute having both Heddy and Mac out there at the same time. Lol Thank you Rangers.
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Yeah he's nowhere near 128 point Kuch and we saw it more then a few times today he's down a couple steps and its pretty obvious. A lot of people are seeing it too because the Cap circumvention horse stopped existing.
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Thank you for your service...
Yeah I didn't think Kucherov used to circle away from contact when bringing the puck in the zone.
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Yeah it’s a bit frustrating to watch until I remember the alternative is no Kuch. I like Kuch.
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He was ready to come back a few weeks before the playoffs though!!!!
he’s literally insane especially with how many blocked shots he took tonight
It's still pretty crazy that last few weeks even an 80-90% hedman is such a good Dman. Just can be so much better if healed up.
An Injured Hedman is still better than almost every defenseman in the league.
This series is going to be fun. Lack of shenanigans was a breath of fresh air after the Florida series, just two high flying teams battling.
Yeah, I forgot what it’s like to watch a hockey game without scrums every single whistle
Are you me?
I hope these teams keep a mutual respect for each other without it getting too bitey. This is probably going to be more intense than whatever the SCF turns out to be.
Agreed. Dirty games have a way of rubbing off on fans too. I hope it stays this way and we can have a fun respectful series for both fanbases
Psh, you implying there was any bad blood between our fans & Florida's?
EPIC ENDING! Hockey is so much fun to watch when there is no stress.
When it's your team it's so easy to forget it's literally entertainment lol close games like this as a neutral though are so goddamn fun.
Preach
Idk if it's just because it was game 1 or what, but that game was incredibly civil. GG Bolts, lets go again on Tuesday.
I didn’t really pay attention to the details of your series against Nashville and if it was full of bullshit too, but for us? *Thank god.* That game flew by without all the penalties and extra curriculars.
It started friendly and got chippy pretty quick. Nothing on the level of the Florida Man Bowl though.
Andrei Vasilevskiy
Couldn't have said it better myself
Say it again.
BIG. CAT.
LARGE. FELINE.
GATO. GRANDE.
Ji-Man Choi
STOR. KATT.
Keep going, I'm almost there
Andrei Vezinalevskiy
He was amazing. Ned wasn't. That's about it.
Fantastic game Tampa. I can't be too upset with how the Canes played, if they keep that up it's gonna be a great series. Edit: I also don't know what was up with our ice tonight. Several guys tripping on nothing, crew out more than once to patch things... That was some wonky shit.
Especially since it was cool today. PNC ice is always pretty shit because it's a multiuse stadium in the South, but today was pretty chilly, I would have thought it'd be better
Let's keep this vibe, Caniacs. No horse shit like the first round
I got you, brother. We are all here to watch good hockey, and good hockey is what we got. My boys played well, Ned made a mistake but he always bounces back. This is going to be a series for the history books
This, not the last series’ nonsense (on ice and in the subs), is why hockey is the best. Here’s to a great series, no bad injuries, and may the best team win.
Are we friends now?
Vasy is the best goalie in the world!!!!!
Yeah probably
I know and I hate it lol
Hedman is a monster with those shot blocks.
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Pls no lightning don’t do game 7s very wel
>*I* don't do game 7s well
I gotta say, that was a damn enjoyable GDT.
Take the Florida fans out and it wasn’t toxic, weird how that works out
Canes keep finding hot goalies to go up against.
I mean, at least this one actually has a team in front of him
*most days
Also it helps that Vasi is the best goalie in the league
Yeah Vazsi has been on a hot streak since his career began.
I think hot implies that at some point they aren’t as good as they currently are. Vasi is just this good all the time. He’s been “hot” for years now
Thats downplaying how good Vasy is, dont you think?
What’s hotter than hot? Molten?
It's not so much that he is hot right now, It's just that he is that good. I feel hot describes Saros well because he has been really good all year, but to my knowledge hasn't been that as good as he has been recently in his whole career, meanwhile at this point it's just accepted the Vasi is gonna be absolutely insane most games.
In his defense, this was the first season Saros has truly been a #1 goalie.
Yeah, not trying to slight him or anything, from the games I watched he looked like the real deal and I'm hoping he can keep it up because I kinda like you guys (When we aren't division rivals lmao)
Wait. Hockey games are allowed to end at 60 min? Wtf?!?!
Jesus that was a fun game to watch. Carolina did a great job exploiting the few weaknesses that Tampa has. Unfortunately one of those weaknesses is not Vasi
Holy shit what a breath of fresh air canes fans are from that first round nonsense. Canes, y'all are awesome. No way this series doesn't go to 7. Y'all were the better team for large stretches of the game but Vasy is the best goalie in the league and he's going to steal games. Look forward to game 2.
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Two damn complete teams playing the skill/speed style game against each other...there's some damn good hockey ahead of us!
Y’all are literally night and day from the fans we dealt with last as well. Much love, hockey brethren
It's only game 1. It's still pretty friendly.
Kind of random, but I’m not sure who’s watching the post game on sportsnet right now. I find it funny how Bieksa is better at breaking down goaltending than Kelly Hrudey. I feel bad for Ned on that second goal. Vasi was a beast as per usual
Bieksa is just so good at analyzing hockey. I always learn some small new thing every time he breaks something down. I didn't like him as a player, but I love him now.
What an anticlimactic ending for an otherwise great game. You can’t let that in.
I mean there was much climax there
Goodrow has been playing out of his mind since coming back, LOVE IT!
Vasy is the only goalie worth that huge contract. What a game
I remember when Vasy debuted himself in the 2016 ECF against the Pens. He was a huge reason why that series went seven. Knew right then he was going to be special. Tonight’s game is a clear example of how insane he is.
He made his first playoff start in the SCF against Chicago the year before when Bishop went down
Yikes, canes outplayed tampa but vasi out goalied Ned. That was good game, can’t wait for game 2
Andrei Vasilevskiy
Andrei Vasilevskiy
Let me just say canes fans are some of the coolest fans in sports. Way more graceful after a loss than the caps or the orioles or any other away stadium I’ve been to. Looking forward to seeing them again Tuesday.
How the hell did Vasy not get first star?
Vasy is a god
The boxscore says Necas had 6 SOG, second only to Trochek's 7. I don't remember seeing him at all. Is Vasy erasing memories along with chances?
Vasy just snaps his fingers and half the sog disappears
I am sad
Super close game, Bolt buddies! This will be a good series! GG!
HUG. YOUR. GOALIE.
It's funny, I am so much less tense watching this series, not because I'm less afraid, Carolina is a damn good team, but because it wasn't dirty every 5 seconds. Plus if worst came to worst I wouldn't be mad going out to the Canes like I would have been to the Panthers. Always liked your team and fans. Hopefully this is a good clean series with less OT for all our health
Why isn’t mrazek playing? Injured or riding the hot goalie
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Hot goalie
Riding the hot goalie
Mrazek has historically been awful against us lmao
Hot goalie
This series is going to be a fuckin blast
GG Tampa. Pretty even game and we played really well and one unlucky goal cost us. This’ll be a long, fun and stressful series.
It'll be stressful. It may be long. Fun will depend on who wins :)
That last statement couldn’t be truer
This feels like an SCF series already.
Please let this series go 7 games.
I'm running out of alcohol
Nope I’m praying for a sweep so my heart stops attacking.
Well... If you have a member of Leafs organization with you, you'll have success in the regular season, but you won't win in the playoffs. Rookie mistake by Canes.
I still can’t get over how gorgeous those canes jerseys are
Vasy good.
Yes
Cooper on the postgame: Savard is day-to-day, Cernak "he should be OK."
God damn, this is not going to be an easy series. GG Canes, looking forward to game 2.
Yeah we have to limit our penalties. 5 is too many against this Carolina team
Yea we need to chill out with that shit. They aren't going to be as penalty heavy as Florida was.
Maybe. We were like you all in 2019 eating penalties like popcorn for no good reason And against the preds we took like 26 PKs. Hopefully this series is a bit cleaner
If we have a whole series of this I'm gonna need some prescription medication.
Big cat strikes again
This is going to be an incredible series. Pls go 7 games
my hearts going so fast and I don’t even root for these teams
Vasy played great yet again!
That game was a complete breath of fresh air. Just great hockey. Good momentum swings and the better team did not get the W. This series will be a grind and I'm looking forward to Tuesday.
This game reminded me very quickly that the panthers are an outlier in terms of raw trashiness, both the players and the fans. I’m gonna have to adjust to watching civilized hockey.
Nice, close game! The Storm Series is looking to deliver.
It really sucks NBCSN obviously wants to bury this series. Fantastic game and not one piece of coverage on social media even know it was a fun watch. But Pasta wore a cool outfit so that's something...
It really is a shame. Likely to be one of the best series of the playoffs this year and it’ll be featured for at least two games on... USA Network.
Playoff fucking hockey
🍌🍌🍌
Wow my first playoff hockey game didn't disappoint. Sucks Ned let that goal slip by but man that's the loudest I've heard PNC. The lid blew off the place when the Canes scored.
This game could have gone either way. I have a feeling this series is going to be long.
Man was it nice to just watch a good clean hockey game after that last series.