Sober thoughts going into game 5

[lightsout]

So, we won a game in the ECF. Feels good. But was it a matter of the Panthers playing poorly due to going too easy, knowing a 3-0 series lead is basically a lock...or did we finally get our poo together?

Here's how I am looking at it.

 

- we looked different. Different energy, different approach to the offensive zone. We actually shot the puck, we actually tried to get guys free for cross crease and centering passes. We whiffed a bunch but we tried one timers. 

- Florida looked different. They seemed to slow as the game went on. Was it frustration and saying fug it, they can have this one, we'll just take game 5 or did the ice time these playoffs finally show signs of wearing on them? They still kept pace for the most part, but we had stretches where we simply beat them to pucks, got them off of pucks, and seemed to be in total control.

- it's one game. Until we do it in Raleigh, that's all it is. It's a fluke until it isn't. If we bring this series to 3-2, we have a series. As of now, we still have a lot to prove.

- Scott Morrow is an absolute bum and if we had Chatfield, this series is likely 2-2 right now. If we get Chatty back for game 5, we may be able to snowball this series and make it. But that's a big if. How long can Burns and Slavin last pulling double duty shifts?

- Nikishin is impactful. He also elevated Orlov, who seemed to be a bit more active which was nice to see. 

[philit99]

I know it’s repetitive, but next year and the year after…wow. Florida played halfway and it was a 1-0 game with 5 to go. Don’t kid yourself, this is most likely the end. However, I am excited for the offseason, who knows what this roster will look like. I know I love Nikishin, Stankoven, and even Janokowski. Future is blinding.

[lightsout]

12 minutes ago, philit99 said:

I know it’s repetitive, but next year and the year after…wow. Florida played halfway and it was a 1-0 game with 5 to go. Don’t kid yourself, this is most likely the end. However, I am excited for the offseason, who knows what this roster will look like. I know I love Nikishin, Stankoven, and even Janokowski. Future is blinding.

 

Well let's also not act like Bob isn't Bob. We scored 1 goal because he is on top of everything. 

I still gotta believe in game 5 in Raleigh.

[Kuhndog94]

Just now, lightsout said:

 

Well let's also not act like Bob isn't Bob. We scored 1 goal because he is on top of everything. 

I still gotta believe in game 5 in Raleigh.

Yeah, we're going to need to get more than 1 past Bob to win Game 5. But I liked the increased pressure yesterday. Who knows, maybe this win dislodged the horseshoe thats firmly implanted in Bob's ass.

I'm just proud of the guys, to be honest. Every single one of them put their body on the line last night. Many of them made huge defensive plays by blocking shots or clearing the zone. Hell, Slavin had 30 minutes of ice time. 

I hope the passion and confidence carries over to Game 5. 

[PNW_PantherMan]

1 hour ago, lightsout said:

- Scott Morrow is an absolute bum and if we had Chatfield, this series is likely 2-2 right now. If we get Chatty back for game 5, we may be able to snowball this series and make it. But that's a big if. How long can Burns and Slavin last pulling double duty shifts?

This series is way too big for him right now but he's still only 22.  He has no business being on the ice anymore this year, but I think bum is a bit much for a 22 year old prospect.  Stankoven isn't really the norm.

[DavidEng]

After the first 3 beat downs I just wanted a win. Canes did that. Anything else is a bonus.

The Panthers have killer instincts like everyone else in the playoffs, they were at home and played to win - they got beat, period.

Edited May 27 by DavidEng

[PantherChris]

40 minutes ago, PNW_PantherMan said:

This series is way too big for him right now but he's still only 22.  He has no business being on the ice anymore this year, but I think bum is a bit much for a 22 year old prospect.  Stankoven isn't really the norm.

I mean Morrow has like 20 games under his belt at least..... but needless to say Nikishin should have been on the ice first period.....

Yes booms English may not be great and he has 3 NHL games but he isnt a normal NHL prospect this is a guy who isn't just expected to be a top pair dman he's a guy who legitimately is being billed by almost everyone in NHL circles as someone who will quickly be a bona fide STAR. And I have to say he is as advertised.

[PNW_PantherMan]

5 minutes ago, PantherChris said:

I mean Morrow has like 20 games under his belt at least..... but needless to say Nikishin should have been on the ice first period.....

Yes booms English may not be great and he has 3 NHL games but he isnt a normal NHL prospect this is a guy who isn't just expected to be a top pair dman he's a guy who legitimately is being billed by almost everyone in NHL circles as someone who will quickly be a bona fide STAR. And I have to say he is as advertised.

I'm not making excuses for him being in the game.  I'm just saying he could still blossom into a good NHL player.  He might be a career AHLer though.

[PantherChris]

4 minutes ago, PNW_PantherMan said:

I'm not making excuses for him being in the game.  I'm just saying he could still blossom into a good NHL player.  He might be a career AHLer though.

Gotcha yeah no doubt, he probably will tbh hes looked good in the regular season hes just not a guy who was ready for the level of the ECF 

[lightsout]

1 hour ago, PNW_PantherMan said:

This series is way too big for him right now but he's still only 22.  He has no business being on the ice anymore this year, but I think bum is a bit much for a 22 year old prospect.  Stankoven isn't really the norm.

 

I'm hard on him but one can be a bum and still develop. He's way too much of a liability right now. 

[PNW_PantherMan]

Canes content boys

 

[TheCandyMan]

Toronto won game 6 2-0 in Sunrise and Florida won game 7 6-1.  Would love nothing more than to make this thing a series, but I also understand this isn't an uphill battle, but probably an upmountain battle at this point.  I'll be rooting them on no matter what though, GO CANES!

[PantherChris]

1 hour ago, TheCandyMan said:

Toronto won game 6 2-0 in Sunrise and Florida won game 7 6-1.  Would love nothing more than to make this thing a series, but I also understand this isn't an uphill battle, but probably an upmountain battle at this point.  I'll be rooting them on no matter what though, GO CANES!

One game at a time just hope for a game 5 win.....

[HeelsPanthersCanes]

Happy with the win, but this team is in DESPERATE need of a skilled forward who can not just get a shot on net, but on a part of the net the goalie isn't easily covering.

I'm amazed at the lack of creativity, good passing when guys are entering scoring zones, and finishing loose pucks near the net that this team operates with.  It's maddening.  It's too bad Rantanen didn't want to be here, would've been a huge difference maker.

All that said, you can't win 4 in a row without winning 2 in a row.  So cheers to a potential Game 5 win, extending the series and goodbye to these sober thoughts.