Eastern Conference Semifinals: Lightning vs. Caps

[ChaosLex]

This should be a good one.

Also, looking forward to the Bruins-Flyers matchup.

[The Rick]

TB has a ton of momentum, but the Caps will be well rested and ready to go.

I'm anxious to hear the schedule for this series. I would assume game one would be Saturday?

[TonySoprano]

Sooooo glad we don't face the Penguins again.

[JDubs]

Sooooo glad we don't face the Penguins again.

They were praying not to face us too. Prayer granted. I hope the kid enjoys watching men play hockey.

Who am I kidding? Crosby always enjoys watching men.

[DuffMan]

Game 1 Friday 4/29 at 7:00
Game 2 Sunday 5/1 at 7:00
Game 3 Tuesday 5/3 time TBD
Game 4 Wednesday 5/4 at 7:00
*Game 5 Saturday 5/7 at 12:30
*Game 6 Monday 5/9 time TBD
*Game 7 Wednesday 5/11 time TBD
*If necessesary

[DuffMan]

I'm not sure why they scheduled games 3 and 4 back to back like that when there isn't any sort of scheduling conflict that would warrant this. Boudreau will need to make sure he spreads the minutes around well in these two games so nobody gets overextended.

[DuffMan]

Just scored two tickets to Sundays game for only 55 bucks a piece!!!

[Bosibus]

Just scored two tickets to Sundays game for only 55 bucks a piece!!!

I am jealous.

[DuffMan]

Just about game time. Game 1 will be the classic rest versus rust dilemma for the Caps. I feel like Tampa could come out with the mo, but if we can Weather the storm I think we'll be in great position to win the game. As for predictions I'll say Caps in 6.

[Bosibus]

Caps in 6 as well

[The Rick]

Damn, it looks like that Laich goal is going to get reversed.

Still, a damn good start to the game here all things considered. TB got a crap goal to start it out, but the Caps have answered with a ton of pressure and a Semin slapper tied it up. It's so exhilarating to watch Semin be borderline dominate in these playoffs so far. *knocks on wood*

Also, great to see Gagne leave on his own feet after that nasty fall to the ice. It was ashame to see him laying there on the ice like that. I hate to see that.

[The Rick]

What an F'ing disaster tonight, the Caps are out willed and out played tonight. Just terrible. These are the types of no-shows that I wonder if the Caps will ever break through with a Cup.

[DT undercover]

They lost, but the Lightning had one EN goal and two other fluke goals. Didnt see the Stamkos goal so can't comment on that. They were flat to begin the game which was to be expected, but outplayed TB for pretty much the rest of the first period and most of the second.

Didnt agree with a couple of the penalties on the Caps, especially the one that led to the third goal. Think Kubina getting hurt on that play sold it to the refs. One thing is that Roloson didnt look as sharp as he had in the previous games against the Caps, so hopefully he begins to wear down because of his age. I think we win game 2 and then take one if not both in Tampa.

[DuffMan]

Sucks to lose the opener, but it happens. As mentioned they were a bit rusty at the start of the game and unfortunately it cost them. Also a bummer on the Laich goal being waived off and then the bounce just went TB's way on the gwg. If the Caps convert on the PP they win this game. I didn't really see anything to make me think they can't win this series. Win game 2 tomorrow and they'll be in solid shape.

[Dr. FLK]

And...they're done folks (IMO). The Caps waste opportunity after opportunity, and the Lightning cash in on theirs. Ovie has been more or less invisible (outside of the last 90 seconds at the end of regulation in G2). Their PP can't get anything going. This series (to me) is reminiscent of the loss to MON last year. The Caps get lots of shots, but not enough traffic in front of the net...and they make things too easy on the netminder. I can't see winning 4 of 5 from TB.

[Bosibus]

As my buddy and fellow poster on here, MuhladaO's, said, its all about how their 1-3-1 formation does not allow us to penetrate past the blue line without a dump and chase.

[Dr. FLK]

As my buddy and fellow poster on here, MuhladaO's, said, its all about how their 1-3-1 formation does not allow us to penetrate past the blue line without a dump and chase.

Shouldn't Coach B be able to figure it out after 2 games? If not, why doesn't every team use it? I mean...it can't be that unstoppable.

[Bosibus]

Shouldn't Coach B be able to figure it out after 2 games? If not, why doesn't every team use it? I mean...it can't be that unstoppable.

Yeah, you would think. I am not a hockey guru by any means but you can tell for the last 2 games it kind of slows down the offense. We still had plenty of chances to score last night, just couldnt put the biscuit in the basket. /laughlin voice

[allstar1579]

Shouldn't Coach B be able to figure it out after 2 games? If not, why doesn't every team use it? I mean...it can't be that unstoppable.

It just works well against our style of offense. Our whole offensive philosophy starts at the point and moves down, where in the 1-3-1 the weak spots are in the corners by the net. They will let you shoot from the point all day because 70% of them aren't going to get through the 3 guys standing in the middle. The 1-3-1 also lends to a dead spot in the neutral zone where you can't just carry the puck into the zone, and that's where the Caps excel, where they can get a full head of steam and make some fast moves.

In a basketball analogy, the 1-3-1 is designed to stop fast break teams, which we are, and force you to play a half court offense, which we are not.

[DuffMan]

I'm not ready to write the Obituary on the 2011 Capitals just yet. Obviously I would rather they be up 2-0 than down 0-2, but coming back from this deficit isn't impossible. Tampa has been only playing to a .500 record at home since January so they can be beaten at home.
I was at the game last night and saw the team first hand dominate play for large stretches of time. The difference being Tampa was able to convert on their chances and had a little luck as well, tough break on the deflection off of Green. It seemed to me that we were more inclined to dump n chase when it was 5 on 5, but when it came time to the pp we would try to skate it in and came into problems. If we want to get back into this series we have got to get a couple of pp goals. 0 for 6 isn't going to cut it. We beat this team 4 times in the regular eason, so we obviously know what needs to be done just have to execute. I think it's safe to say that tomorrow is a must win. 0-2 is a hole, but I don't want to go down 0-3.

One last thought. On the metro ride home last night I actually heard a couple of guys say the following: "man I can't wait for Wideman to get back so we can scratch Green from the lineup. I got into a bit of a debate with them about that. Obviously I want Widemann back in the lineup but no way am I scratching Green. Erskine would probably be 1st choice to get healthy scratched.

[MuhladaOs]

Not only are we having trouble penetrating their 1-3-1 system, but let's give credit when credit is due. Dwayne Roloson has been making some big saves, I'm sure all of us were watching how we were on the offensive attack in Game 2 OT, and we just didn't get the bounce or the lucky screen or whatever you want to call it. But Roloson is in fact human, and I know how determined this team is as a whole, we will find a way to solve Tampa Bay and it starts tonight :) And I still can't believe how lucky St. Louis was when he deflected the puck off our skate and into the net. That's the playoffs though and I can't wait to see what type of energy we bring in tonight's game. It should be a great effort. I'm calling the GW goal by America's Hero, BOYD GORDON!

[MuhladaOs]

One last thought. On the metro ride home last night I actually heard a couple of guys say the following: "man I can't wait for Wideman to get back so we can scratch Green from the lineup. I got into a bit of a debate with them about that. Obviously I want Widemann back in the lineup but no way am I scratching Green. Erskine would probably be 1st choice to get healthy scratched.

I agree with you Duff. Mike Green has been playing just fine, leave Green & Schultz together and stick Wideman in for Erskine to play with Hannan. I like Wideman a lot and if he is indeed physically ready - he can provide immediate help carrying the puck into the offensive zone against this 1-3-1.

[MuhladaOs]

Shouldn't Coach B be able to figure it out after 2 games? If not, why doesn't every team use it? I mean...it can't be that unstoppable.

Yeah it surely isn't unstoppable. In fact if we can somehow get a quick lead, it will cause them to change that style and be more on the fore checking offensive. Which will allow an easier opportunity for someone like Mike Green or Marcus Johansson, to skate full speed into their defensive zone and create a scoring opportunity. Because sometimes they don't even send 1 player in our defensive zone when were skating it out. I laugh out loud sometimes because you hardly ever see it. And then you see the 4 bodies defending around the neutral zone, it's hard for our defense man to carry the puck, we always have to dump it in. But I think our best opportunity as a team against their 1-3-1 is to #1 win face offs in the offensive zone, play hard against the boards, win those 1v1 battles, somehow cycle the puck back to the blue line and our defense man shoot on net the best they can with traffic in front of Roloson.

If Tampa Bay gets the lead however, let's hope Roloson just flats out plays bad, because they will definitely sit back and continue to watch us just dump the puck back into their zone. Which as you can see the past 2 games, pretty hard to establish that consistent offensive attack. Our PP needs to get a goal though, no excuse not to score with 6 opportunities.

WE NEED TO WIN FACE OFFS THOUGH!!!!!

[JDubs]

We HAVE to take advantage of power plays. I truly believe it is that simple with the Lightning. We have to do what they do best...even better than they are doing it.

[OsnRavensallday]

This is a huge game 3 , and a must win for our Caps. We have had a lot of mad luck with pucks bouncing off people and into our net, can't put the blame on Neuvy.
I am a lil surprised the are goin with Neuvy again in game 3, thought Bruce might try and change things up by goin with Varly , guess not.
LETS GO CAPS

[OsnRavensallday]

WOW. Really Neuvy what a horrible 2 goals aloud in a row there. This is not lookin good folks 4-3 TB with 13 min to go.
Looks like the Caps are gonna fall short again this year. Why didn't we start Varly, and why is Hendricks sitting again,
the guy brings nothin but energy, hits people, and works his rear off

[The Rick]

It's a shame that this is going to happen again.

What do you guys think is the problem? A Stanley Cup team can overcome opposition game plans with adjustments, but we cannot. The 1-3-1 is a huge factor, no doubt, but what on earth does this team need to do to finally get over the hump?

Some thoughts:
-What is wrong with Backstrom?
-Is Neuvy the guy? He's been brilliant, at times, and he's been just okay at times. He's young. Who is your pick to lead us to glory land in the net, if we ever get there? (Overall I was impressed with Neuvy in the playoffs, I think his defense let him down in Rd 2)
-Is this the final straw for Boudreau?

Please don't mistake this for being over reactionary. These are all just questions that I want discussed on here. I think their valid discussion points.

[JDubs]

Welp, more of the same for the Caps in the playoffs. I love Boudreau, but maybe it really is time for him to go.

[jcarm]

Something needs to change-Boudreau-as much as I love him-has to go in order for this team to change for the better. Boudreau has done a great job turning the team around from a non playoff team to a highly successful regular season team. It is just not enough. He is constantly being outcoached come playoff time. It happens year after year. Why on earth would you elect to have your best player serve a bench minor penalty when the penalty results in a 4 on 4-where Ovechkin has been highly successful? Why every year can the Caps not adjust to oposing teams defensive schemes? The answer is because Boudreau cannot coach effectively in the playoffs. The Caps will never be successful in the playoffs with Boudreau as their coach-this has become very, very clear over the last several years. Mr. Leonsis needs to stop drinking the Boudreau cool-aid and face facts if he does not want to alienate his fan base. Unfortunately, Boudreau needs to go. I am sorry for the rant-I really should be used to it being a Caps fan for some 35 years. It happens year after year-same result.

[allstar1579]

Welp, more of the same for the Caps in the playoffs. I love Boudreau, but maybe it really is time for him to go.

It's not him, we got a bad matchup scheme wise, and they have just been outplaying us. I've said it 100 times, in hockey 1 player can single handedly win a playoff series, a hot goalie is NO JOKE come May, and that's what we are up against...again. The downside to this defensive game is that we don't get as many quality scoring chances, and we aren't cashing in on the ones we get.

[The Rick]

It's not him, we got a bad matchup scheme wise, and they have just been outplaying us. I've said it 100 times, in hockey 1 player can single handedly win a playoff series, a hot goalie is NO JOKE come May, and that's what we are up against...again. The downside to this defensive game is that we don't get as many quality scoring chances, and we aren't cashing in on the ones we get.

Not being able to adjust in a best of 7 series, against a DIVISIONAL opponent of which we played well against in the regular season is why we aren't, yet again, a Stanley Cup team.

So disappointing.

[jcarm]

It's not him, we got a bad matchup scheme wise, and they have just been outplaying us. I've said it 100 times, in hockey 1 player can single handedly win a playoff series, a hot goalie is NO JOKE come May, and that's what we are up against...again. The downside to this defensive game is that we don't get as many quality scoring chances, and we aren't cashing in on the ones we get.

You have got to be kidding me-the bad match up here is that Boudreau is being out coached by a rookie coach. Boudreau is incapable of keeping his players focused on doing what is necessary to beat the defensive scheme that Tampa Bay is playing. I have had it with the excuse every year that we ran into a hot goalie-that excuse is entirely to old and not acceptable at all. Roloson is not playing that great. The Caps as a team are being outplayed and outcoached, period.

[allstar1579]

You have got to be kidding me-the bad match up here is that Boudreau is being out coached by a rookie coach. Boudreau is incapable of keeping his players focused on doing what is necessary to beat the defensive scheme that Tampa Bay is playing. I have had it with the excuse every year that we ran into a hot goalie-that excuse is entirely to old and not acceptable at all. Roloson is not playing that great. The Caps as a team are being outplayed and outcoached, period.

To say they are being outcoached without citing one example of what the coaches in hockey are actually doing is a cop-out. People always want to come out of the woodwork and complain about them not going 82-0 and not sweeping everyone through the playoffs, but the reality is every year only one team is going all the way, and if you are going to get that bent out of shape if your team doesn't make it, then maybe you shouldn't be watching. Too many fair-weather fans in hockey.

[jcarm]

To say they are being outcoached without citing one example of what the coaches in hockey are actually doing is a cop-out. People always want to come out of the woodwork and complain about them not going 82-0 and not sweeping everyone through the playoffs, but the reality is every year only one team is going all the way, and if you are going to get that bent out of shape if your team doesn't make it, then maybe you shouldn't be watching. Too many fair-weather fans in hockey.

Even former Cap Keith Jones(who knows alot more about hockey than me and probably you) in between the first and second periods on Versus said that Boudreau was being outcoached. In my earlier post, I did cite a couple things that Boudreau is actually doing "Why on earth would you elect to have your best player serve a bench minor penalty when the penalty results in a 4 on 4-where Ovechkin has been highly successful? Why every year can the Caps not adjust to oposing teams defensive schemes?" This is the second straight year that Boudreau/The Caps have not been able to adjust to a defensive scheme. The book is written about how to stop the Caps and Boudreau has not been able to do anything about it. I am far from a fair-weather fan-as I stated earlier-I have been following the Caps for about 35 years-quite possibly longer than you have. It is true that a fan cannot expect their team to go all the way each year-but at least the Caps should be able to occasionally get out of the second round. But, as a Caps fan-I guess I should be happy with winning in the regular season and flopping in the playoffs every year. I refuse to do that and so should Mr. Leonsis. I will remain a Caps fan-but I do not have to happy with their ineptness come playoff time.

[DuffMan]

WOW. Really Neuvy what a horrible 2 goals aloud in a row there. This is not lookin good folks 4-3 TB with 13 min to go.
Looks like the Caps are gonna fall short again this year. Why didn't we start Varly, and why is Hendricks sitting again,
the guy brings nothin but energy, hits people, and works his rear off

No way were those 2 goals Neuvirth's fault. Stamkos goal was an absolute rocket nobody was stopping that. The 2nd goal was a fortunate bounce for TB. Can't blame either on the goalie.

[DuffMan]

It's a shame that this is going to happen again.

What do you guys think is the problem? A Stanley Cup team can overcome opposition game plans with adjustments, but we cannot. The 1-3-1 is a huge factor, no doubt, but what on earth does this team need to do to finally get over the hump?

Some thoughts:
-What is wrong with Backstrom?
-Is Neuvy the guy? He's been brilliant, at times, and he's been just okay at times. He's young. Who is your pick to lead us to glory land in the net, if we ever get there? (Overall I was impressed with Neuvy in the playoffs, I think his defense let him down in Rd 2)
-Is this the final straw for Boudreau?

Please don't mistake this for being over reactionary. These are all just questions that I want discussed on here. I think their valid discussion points.

All great questions.

Backstrom has definitely been slumping, not sure exactly what the problem is but he hasn't been bringing it in the playoffs and took a horrible offensive zone penalty last night that thankfully didn't cost us.

Neuvy has been solid in the playoffs and you can't really blame these losses on him. Whether he's the guy going forward is open to debate. Varly (whom I wouldn't be surprised if we saw tonight) is a little bit more flashy, but we all know about his issues staying healthy. Holtby might be better than both of these guys so that only complicates things even further.

As far as Boudreau is concerned. I'm on the fence right now. I'll just put this out there. In 4 trips to the playoffs BB has a record of 8 and 4 against Torterella and the Rangers and is 9 and 15 against everyone else including 3 game 7 losses on home ice!

[DuffMan]

It's not him, we got a bad matchup scheme wise, and they have just been outplaying us. I've said it 100 times, in hockey 1 player can single handedly win a playoff series, a hot goalie is NO JOKE come May, and that's what we are up against...again. The downside to this defensive game is that we don't get as many quality scoring chances, and we aren't cashing in on the ones we get.


Not being able to adjust in a best of 7 series, against a DIVISIONAL opponent of which we played well against in the regular season is why we aren't, yet again, a Stanley Cup team.

So disappointing.

Tampa is a tough matchup for sure, but they're a divisional opponent that we took the season series from so we know how and what to do to be able to beat them.

Down the stretch in the regular season if the Caps had a 1 goal lead heading into the 3rd period you could feel pretty confident about getting the W, but the Caps D coughed up the lead twice last night. Something that wasn't happening during the regular season. Granted Tampa was bringing it in the 3rd, but the Caps couldn't respond.

I don't agree about Rolloson being a "hot" goalie right now. His play has been really good, but he's not playing at that "Halak" level of a year ago. When we've crashed the net and got bodies in front we've been able to beat him, just haven't been able to do that enough.

I will say that the bounces/deflections seem to be going Tampa's way, while the Caps don't appear to be getting them. Or we do get a break (a pp goal and a 1st period lead) only to have it wiped out b/c of too many men on the ice:angryfire:

[Dr. FLK]

It's not him, we got a bad matchup scheme wise, and they have just been outplaying us. I've said it 100 times, in hockey 1 player can single handedly win a playoff series, a hot goalie is NO JOKE come May, and that's what we are up against...again. The downside to this defensive game is that we don't get as many quality scoring chances, and we aren't cashing in on the ones we get.

If you're not a good matchup "scheme wise", you sometimes have to make adjustments. It's not like this team is some surprise to us...they are in our division! The Caps are great if the other team lets them do exactly what they want to do. If they change things up and make it difficult for them, they aren't. The 3rd period last night was an embarrassment.

I'm so tired of hearing about going up against a hot goalie...TB is going up against a hot goalie too. And you know what they do? They beat him 3 games in a row despite him playing very well. Enough of the excuses. Bruce's scheme doesn't seem to work in the playoffs, and he doesn't seem to be able to adjust. The same excuses are made every offseason, and nothing ever changes.

[jcarm]

If you're not a good matchup "scheme wise", you sometimes have to make adjustments. It's not like this team is some surprise to us...they are in our division! The Caps are great if the other team lets them do exactly what they want to do. If they change things up and make it difficult for them, they aren't. The 3rd period last night was an embarrassment.

I'm so tired of hearing about going up against a hot goalie...TB is going up against a hot goalie too. And you know what they do? They beat him 3 games in a row despite him playing very well. Enough of the excuses. Bruce's scheme doesn't seem to work in the playoffs, and he doesn't seem to be able to adjust. The same excuses are made every offseason, and nothing ever changes.

I completely agree-the change that needs to be made is the coach. I was really hoping that things were going to be different this year. I was really drinking the Kool-Aid that Boudreau had improved his coaching ability. But, alas Boudreau just can't coach in the post season. At this point, for me to have real hope for next season-I believe Boudreau has to go-otherwise it will be the same story next year.

[MuhladaOs]

For most of the game I saw Alex Ovechkin trying to make that same stupid inside or outside move against 1-2 defenders going into the offensive zone and giving up the puck. He never ever dumps the puck in and forechecks behind the net. That is the bread & butter against the Rangers, when we were able to cycle it back to our defense men and have them set up the plays or take shots from the point. (Did you notice John Carlson's goal anyone? Chimera digs it out of the corner, passes it back to Carlson, Carlson takes a slap shot while Roloson was screened). When it comes to the play offs, we need to win those 1v1 battles on the boards and cycle the puck. Also, when you are fore checking in there zone it causes the team as a whole to really get tired. It wears them down more then if it was them fore checking in our defensive zone. And it all starts with dumping that puck in and going after and cycling it. I really was upset too that in the final last 30 seconds, Ovechkin kept coming back and skating the puck in only to cough it up and have them send the puck back down. It was so embarrasing and Backstrom was caught doing this also in most of the game. The only foward that really executed skating it up and dumping it in was the rookie Marcus Johansson. And it worked to his advantage because Chimera and his speed always beat the defender and he came out with the puck.

I'm not pointing the blame at Backstrom or Ovechkin becasue I realize how hard they are trying, but Ovi needs to get it through in his head that sometimes coming over that blue line don't try to skate in between the circles just dump it in for Christ sakes and out skate the defense man. It usually works for the forward anyhow, when the defender is skating backwards and has to turn around to go into the corner, with Ovi and how he skates and strides he can get to the puck almost every single time faster.

[TonySoprano]

What's red, white, and blue and plays golf in June.

The Caps.

damn

[The Rick]

What's red, white, and blue and plays golf in June.

The Caps.

damn

What team plays in D.C., but can't buy their way into the White House despite having the best team on ice year in and year out...

The Caps.

Epic Fail.... again... par for the course.

[DuffMan]

Nice to know were not the only team rolling over in the 2nd round as both the Flyers and Red Wings are down 3-0 in their series, still sux though.

[MuhladaOs]

At the end of the day I can be very happy that John Carlson, Karl Alzner, Marcus Johannson & Michael Neuvirth all had a chance to play big time minutes in the playoffs.

Tough decision for GMGM on who to keep and who to not sign. And as for Coach Bruce Boudreau, I really want him to be their coach next season. I think he deserves another shot, I know he was outcoached this series, but I want to bring him back.

I really like Holtby & Neuvirth. I think talent wise Varlamov could be the better of those two, but his durability has been a factor in me rather not including him in the future. But then again, I'm not GMGM :) He has a tough job ahead of him.

I hope we re-sign Brooks Laich & I wouldn't be against bringing back Scott Hannan.
Jason Arnott might cost too much and Marco Sturm was a gamble that didn't pay off as well as I'd hope.

[The Rick]

Interesting small article on the Caps and upcoming changes on ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=6485808) today.


But McPhee said Thursday he doesn't "see major changes" coming.

Asked about the possibility of switching coaches, McPhee replied: "Does it really change things in most cases?"

I like GMGM, but this is a terrible quote. This makes me pretty angry.

[allstar1579]

Interesting small article on the Caps and upcoming changes on ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=6485808) today.



I like GMGM, but this is a terrible quote. This makes me pretty angry.

It's perfectly correct. We had a playoff team and fired Ron Wilson. We did worse. We had a playoff team and fired Terry Murry. We did worse. Not many times will you change your coaching staff and system and get better. A coach doesn't do as much as people want to give them credit for, the players still have to play the game.

[The Rick]

It's perfectly correct. We had a playoff team and fired Ron Wilson. We did worse. We had a playoff team and fired Terry Murry. We did worse. Not many times will you change your coaching staff and system and get better. A coach doesn't do as much as people want to give them credit for, the players still have to play the game.

A coaching change has done wonders for the Lightning. It also worked quite well for the Pens when they won their Cup.

Sure, it doesn't always work, but getting an energetic, hard nosed coach who can game plan with the best of them, and change up game plans on the fly is what this team needs.

[DuffMan]

It's perfectly correct. We had a playoff team and fired Ron Wilson. We did worse. We had a playoff team and fired Terry Murry. We did worse. Not many times will you change your coaching staff and system and get better. A coach doesn't do as much as people want to give them credit for, the players still have to play the game.


A coaching change has done wonders for the Lightning. It also worked quite well for the Pens when they won their Cup.

Sure, it doesn't always work, but getting an energetic, hard nosed coach who can game plan with the best of them, and change up game plans on the fly is what this team needs.

Still not ready to get into this debate quite yet, but I agree with The Rickster that it might be time for a new coach. As far as GMGM goes he plays things pretty tight so I wouldn't put too much stock into what he's saying right now, but it would suck if he isn't even considering the possibility of a new coach.

[allstar1579]

A coaching change has done wonders for the Lightning. It also worked quite well for the Pens when they won their Cup.

Sure, it doesn't always work, but getting an energetic, hard nosed coach who can game plan with the best of them, and change up game plans on the fly is what this team needs.

It depends more the roster and what they will respond to. When BB came in we were awful, same roster with BB we went on a run to the playoffs. There is the issue of some players being regular season players and some people being postseason players. It's something you can't figure out for a while, they have to have enough of a sample size in the playoffs to see. I'm leaning towards Green, and Semin especially NOT being playoff performers. Backstrom was awful this year, and when your #1 C is putting up 0 points you are going to lose, but he was pretty good before, so I'm not willing to pass judgement on him yet. Sometimes it has more to do with the new system a coach brings in than the coach himself, which is what happened in TB. In basketball terms, they were running a half court offense last year (more defensive system like us this year) with a full court roster. When they opened it up this year, you see how they responded.

I didn't really agree with the switch to the defensive system (but I also know it wasn't BB who mandated the switch), I thought they should get a couple better defensive players in key situations and stick with the up tempo game. We had 4 rookies starting for us this season, to win a cup like that is kind of unlikely, but I was hoping. Look at Stamkos his rookie year. Tavares so far. Hall this past season. It takes a season or two to adjust to the NHL. I'll be interested to see MoJo, the goalies and Alzner/Carlson next season.

Hockey isn't a sport you can change your whole system up on the fly, everything they do on offense or defense is structured (believe it or not) and you can't just switch to something new without practicing for a couple months. When you do try you get the middle of the season for us (that is when they made the switch, during that awful stretch in Nov/Dec), and you can't do that in the playoffs.

[MuhladaOs]

A coaching change has done wonders for the Lightning. It also worked quite well for the Pens when they won their Cup.

Sure, it doesn't always work, but getting an energetic, hard nosed coach who can game plan with the best of them, and change up game plans on the fly is what this team needs.

Keep in mind though Tampa Bay had switched to a new owner, who then hired GM Steve Yzerman (who made many trades to change the roster before the season even started), who then signed rookie head coach Guy Boucher.

That was enough for Martin St. Louis to commit to the end of his career to Tampa Bay before he signed his extension. And I'm almost positive Steve Yzerman made a huge impact on Stamkos & Lecavlier. I mean he was one of the most respected hockey players of his generation, especially to young Canadian men. And the best deal he made was obviously trading for Dwayne Roloson.

So as much as fans want to give all the credit to a new coach and a new system, it was also a complete overhaul of upper management and ownership.

[MuhladaOs]

It also worked quite well for the Pens when they won their Cup.



Agreed, how can you not? One of the best moments in 24/7 HBO Series was when the Penguins lost to the Flyers to have their streak end. And it showed the locker room and Dan Blysma looked so angry and full of rage, but he didn't go all F*CK this & F()CK that, he basically kept slapping his leg and looked at his players straight in their eyes and said "LOSING SUCKS" while nodding his head up and down going down the locker room. He also said "we dictate how the other team needs to play". And that's all he had to say because the players could sense his body language and his eyes that they didn't play up to their potential. Honestly, players will have their bad games & their good games but always having that coach that keeps you in line and expects the best from you but doesn't always have to refer to screaming and saying curse words when $hit hits the fan is what motivates young men to try their best. Or that's what I believe in. I respect Dan Blysma even though I dislike the Penguins for personal reasons, but I would play hard for that man, every single shift.

[The Rick]

I respect Dan Blysma even though I dislike the Penguins for personal reasons, but I would play hard for that man, every single shift.

I agree, Blysma is one of the best.

[ChaosLex]

So glad I was on vacation in the Bahamas last week and didn't have to watch the Caps perennial chokejob in the playoffs. Pathetic.

[DuffMan]

So glad I was on vacation in the Bahamas last week and didn't have to watch the Caps perennial chokejob in the playoffs. Pathetic.

Well if it makes you feel better the Flyers got skunked 4-0 to the Bruins as well. And the Sharks are one game away from blowing a 3-0 series lead which got me thinking which would be worse, to get swept or blow a 3-0 series lead???