Tampa is done

These guys can’t hold up to Florida. Cats are just too much for the bolts on home ice. This game should be 4-0 right now based on Florida’s scoring chances. Tampa has only taken 2 shots the entire first period. 

It looks like it. I'm a bolts fan, and while I didn't they would win this series, I also didn't think they would get swept. Cats are clearly the superior team playing with a chip, and if they hold on here it will be a 4 or 5 game series. As highly as I think of the playmaking and scoring ability of Kuch, this series highlights the difference between him and players like mckinnon and mcdavid. 

@tenorbrett

 It’s crazy to watch cause Tampa was on fire running the last 8-10 games of the season. Beating lots of playoff teams during that stretch. I agree though Florida looks super solid on defense and it shows by the Tampa shot numbers this game and last. Tampa may have had a better shot against Toronto or Boston. Florida is well coached, loaded with talent on offense and defense along with having a solid goalie in Bob. I’d love to be wrong as I’ve seen a lot of folks on Tampa tonight and I like it when Vegas losses. But dang the cats are solid. I’ll be watching them close the rest of this round and moving forward in the second round. I’m honestly really surprised the Tampa offense has been stifled like this. 

Yet it's 2-2.

@mrusso

 Yes that's true and that's all that matters in the end. Still I think the cats are the better and deeper team and tampa only has a shot with coaching, goaltending, and reducing their own mistakes and capitalizing on their opponent mistakes. I hope it's a long series, but I thing cats win in 5 or 6.

@mrusso

 This is true. I just don’t think Tampa is good enough to pull this series out even when they get back to Tampa. As I said earlier, it’s ok if I’m wrong. My wife tells me I am all the time anyway 

Tough sledding for the road teams in the first round. Tampa lasted how long in overtime? The strongest thing Tampa had going coming in was their ability to score goals which Florida has neutralized very well. While I think Tampa can keep the games close at home, I like Florida in 4 to end the series and get some rest for Boston in round 2. 

The NHL playoff format is so stupid.

A bunch of good teams will be gone after the 1st round... They really need to go back to the old format. 

Lost 2 on the Road. That’s normal. Relax. 

@Skyfall

 No they wouldn't be. Using the old format

The east would be 

Nyr vs wash

Fla vs isl

Car vs Tampa

Bos vs Tor

2 of the matchups would change.

For the west using the old format

Dallas vs Vegas

Van vs kings

Win vs Nash

Colo vs edm

3 of the matchups would change and edm wouldn't have home ice.

Old format division leaders would be seeded 1 and 2

@benhogan76

 Regardless what format they do, good teams will be out in the first round, imo there is only 2 weak teams in the playoffs. Washington and the islanders maybe LA.

They have a ton of experience a good coach an play much better at home. I'm not saying they win the series but certainly don't think they'll get the broom.

Vas needs get his game together though.

I didn’t play any sides in this game tonight but I’ll be on the panthers in game four. Tampa bread and butter is their scoring and Florida has shut it down enough to score more than them. If Tampa can’t score 4+ they won’t beat this Florida team in game four. Should get Florida at a decent price as desperation money will come in on Tampa.  Florida will want max rest time before their next series. I’ll be on the Florida ML in game four, broom in hand.