Pittsburgh Penguins, Tampa Bay Lightning exits highlight harsh differences in playoff hockey Globe_Sports
because of increased emphasis on scouting and preparation, fewer penalties and even-strength goals, and more all-out shot-blocking and sacrificing. The way games are coached, played and officiated changes enough that the Lightning can go from being the best team for seven months to gone in seven days.
Bowman compared it to what Detroit would’ve been like without Hall of Famer Nicklas Lidstrom, who hardly ever made a mistake with the puck and made everything happen. The Lightning ran into a tough John Tortorella-coached fore check and struggled to control the game against the disciplined Blue Jackets. All the Lightning’s star power couldn’t dig them out of a deep hole.
Tampa Bay, Calgary and Pittsburgh all ranked in the top six in the league in scoring during the regular season. When Hall of Fame defenceman Scott Stevens does an autopsy on the Lightning and Penguins’ quick playoff exits, he sees fundamental problems in other areas. “You want to stay out of the penalty box,” Stevens said. “There’s teams that their power play might’ve been average during the year, but they find a way to get a few in the playoffs and make a difference and that can win a series for you.”Story continues below advertisement
Stewart likens the first two rounds of the playoffs to a guy being so excited for a date that he gets a speeding ticket on the way, and because of that officials need to take extra care to rein in players. It’s easy for him to understand why players feel like there’s less room on the 200-by-85-foot ice surface than during the regular season because he has seen it up close.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
A recent history of Tampa Bay Lightning's quiet playoff exits - Sportsnet.caWhile this year's sweep was the most shocking of TBLightning's recent playoff exits, the team has a history of going out with a whimper. RoryBoylen takes a look back:
Read more »
Maple Leafs, Bruins reflect on 'shocking' playoff exit for LightningThe Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins reflected on the Columbus Blue Jackets sweeping Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the playoffs.
Read more »
Leafs, Bruins reflect on Lightning's 'shocking' playoff exit - TSN.caA day after the Tampa Bay Lightning — the Presidents' Trophy winners, a team that tied the NHL record for wins in a season — were swept out of the playoffs in four straight by the Columbus Blue Jackets, members of the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs reflected on a result that stunned the hockey world.
Read more »
Maple Leafs, Bruins reflect on Lightning’s 'shocking' playoff exit - Sportsnet.caA day after the Lightning were swept out of the playoffs in four straight by the Blue Jackets, members of the Bruins and Maple Leafs reflected on a result that stunned the hockey world.
Read more »
Maple Leafs, Bruins reflect on 'shocking' playoff exit for LightningBruce Cassidy didn't see it coming.
Read more »
First Round Frenzy: How can Johnny (Regular Season) Hockey become Johnny (Playoff) Hockey?In this edition of Upon Further Review, Frank Seravalli and Craig Button explain how Nathan MacKinnon and Johnny Gaudreau have been going in opposite directions with their teams following suit, discuss how Johnny (Regular Season) Hockey can become Johnny (Playoff) Hockey, and weigh in on which was the better Game 4 fan prop: Brady Tkachuk's shirt or a head of kale?
Read more »
Tampa Bay Rays topple Blue Jays 8-4Pinch-hitter Guillermo Heredia highlighted a five-run eighth inning with a two-run homer and the Tampa Bay Rays took advantage of some sloppy Toronto defence early en route to an 8-4 win over the Blue Jays on Sunday.
Read more »
‘Mental toughness’ was Columbus Blue Jackets’ edge in a stunning upset sweep of the Tampa Bay Lightning‘Mental toughness’ was Columbus Blue Jackets’ edge in a stunning upset sweep of the Tampa Bay Lightning Globe_Sports
Read more »
First Round Frenzy: Penguins, Lightning staring down sweepsIn the latest edition of Right Now, TSN Senior Hockey Reporter Frank Seravalli discusses the Penguins and Lightning staring down series sweeps on Tuesday night.
Read more »