Series Thread: Eastern Conference Finals: Tampa Bay Lightning vs Pittsburgh Penguins

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Tampa Bay Lightning
Team Record (season): 46-31-5 (97 points)
Team Record (playoffs): 8-2
Home Record (season): 25-13-3
Home Record (playoffs): 5-1
Road Record (season): 21-18-2
Road Record (playoffs): 3-1
Last 10: 8-2-0
Streak: +4
Previous Playoff Series: beat Islanders 4-1
GFA (season): 2.73
GFA (playoffs): 3.00
GAA (season): 2.41
GAA (playoffs): 1.90
Projected Lineup: http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/lines/39/tampa-bay-lightning

Pittsburgh Penguins
Team Record (season): 48-26-8 (104 points)
Team Record (playoffs): 8-3
Home Record (season): 26-11-4
Home Record (playoffs): 5-1
Road Record (season): 22-15-4
Road Record (playoffs): 3-3
Last 10: 7-3-0
Streak: +1
Previous Playoff Series: beat Capitals 4-2
GFA (season): 2.72
GFA (playoffs): 3.36
GAA (season) 2.34
GAA (playoffs): 2.27
Projected Lineup: http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/lines/36/pittsburgh-penguins

Series Notes
All-Time (season): Pens lead series 45-31-5 with 5 ties
All-Time (playoffs): Lightning lead 1-0
This Season: Lightning won series 3-0-0
Last meeting: 2/20/2016 @ CONSOL Energy Center, Lightning won 4-2

Doob's Take
This was probably the playoff matchup I was most hoping to avoid in the Eastern Conference. Lightning are a team with talent, depth, balance, & experience. They also swept the season series with us and have cruised thru the playoffs, beating the Red Wings & Islanders in 5 games. I see this series as the Pens' greatest challenge thus far. We'll need everyone to play on top of their game to win this series, and that goes double for Sid. Should be a fast pace series, and hopefully we'll be able to handle the physical game of the Lightning.

Been a great playoff run so far, let's keep it up!
LET'S GO PENS!

 

[thedddd]

Well they outshot the Lightning each game to a total of 109 - 74. I think this Penguin team can score much more and should be in this series if not ahead.

Also they have the home ice advantage.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

 

[Ewa PGH Fan]

LET"S GO PENS!

 

[Eco]

Would mind seeing Pittsburgh win this series. I do love going to Tampa games when the 'Hawks are in town, but I think the Pens fans are more passionate about their hockey team.

 

[Ewa PGH Fan]

Would mind seeing Pittsburgh win this series. I do love going to Tampa games when the 'Hawks are in town, but I think the Pens fans are more passionate about their hockey team.

We're all very passionate about the Pens.

 

[Eco]

We're all very passionate about the Pens.

I would say Pitt gives off the fact that they are passionate about all their sports.

Unlike Tampa..

 

[Ewa PGH Fan]

I would say Pitt gives off the fact that they are passionate about all their sports.

Unlike Tampa..

Very true!!!

 

[scoutyjones2]

The way I see Tampa taking this series is with Bishop...that's it...

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

The way I see Tampa taking this series is with Bishop...that's it...

There are lots of ways they could beat us IMO. The line of Kucherov, Johnson, & Palat has been unstoppable in the playoffs. Also, Victor Hedman will likely give us bigger problems than John Carlson did in the previous series. They could also match us for speed & depth, plus they for sure have a size advantage over us. Keep in mind that they took the Chicago Blackhawks to 6 games in the Stanley Cup Finals last year. They are not to be taken lightly.

 

[scoutyjones2]

Last year has no bearing on this year...neither does the 2015 season. Bishop is the key. No strahlman or stamkos and they aren't as deep. Bishop is key

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

LET'S GO PENS!!!!

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

What's everyone's take on MAF vs. Murray situation?

 

[Ewa PGH Fan]

What's everyone's take on MAF vs. Murray situation?

I'd keep starting Murray at this point. MAF has to have some rust on him and you don't want him getting that rust off in a playoff game unless you have to. I hope the Pens never have to get the rust off of MAF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

I'd keep starting Murray at this point. MAF has to have some rust on him and you don't want him getting that rust off in a playoff game unless you have to. I hope the Pens never have to get the rust off of MAF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree... And not to mention MAF allowed 9 goals in 2 starts against TBL this year.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

What's everyone's take on MAF vs. Murray situation?

Murray is having a playoff run similar to that of Patrick Roy in 1986 & Cam Ward in 2006. I love MAF to death, but Murray's got this

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

LET'S GO PENS!

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

 

[Gooch1034]

How do you guys see this series playing out? I haven't watched enough TB games to know what to expect but I was under the impression the Caps were the toughest matchup in the East for the Pens? Seems like most articles I read think the Bolts will be a tougher test for the Pens but I have no shame in saying I don't really know what to expect and I don't want to base my opinion on a couple articles.

Thoughts?

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]