TAMPA | There’s reason to have big ambitions when you’re a regular calendar champion. In such a situation, we don’t expect his career to come to an abrupt end in the division finals. Even less in four consecutive games.
• Also read: Taloned panthers
“Being swept away is hard to swallow. It hurts, it sweats,” said Aaron Ekblad bluntly at the end of that disappointing elimination for the Florida Panthers players.
For the second time in as many springs, the Panthers took on the Lightning. Last season, Joel Quenneville’s squad at the time elicited two wins from their state rivals. Is that a step backwards?
“No, supports Andrew Brunette, the current driver. Last year the Lightning played much more openly. This time he slowed us down, he eliminated our attacks at the entrance to the zone. We’re closer to the Flash than ever before, but we got carried away, which means there’s definitely another level to come. »
shots blocked
Sacrificing oneself for the common good, among other things.
“Their captain has already scored 60 goals in one season and that doesn’t stop him from blocking shots. The Lightning relates to all the little details that make the difference,” Brunette said in reference to Steven Stamkos.
Tampa Bay players actually blocked 77 shots during this four-game confrontation.
“In addition, if you block your shots, you have to pass the number 88 [Andrei Vasilevskiy], it will be difficult. It’s certainly frustrating for the opponent,” agreed Patrick Maroon on the winning side.
The two-time Stanley Cup winner’s close game is one of the reasons the Panthers’ big guns were silenced. Nevertheless, Aleksander Barkov doesn’t want to use that as an excuse.
“I could have played much better,” said the Selke Trophy finalist. The stakes were there, but I could have played better. »
So does Florida’s massive attack, which has hit the target just once in 31 times in its 10 playoff games.
“I take the blame for that part,” said Brunette. I’ll beat myself up for it all summer. It’s my fault. »
fake scandal
In the morning, the hosts of a Tampa-area talk radio station said a source had told them that Panthers players had been spotted at a local strip club until 3 a.m. Sunday night.
A rumor Brunette was quick to deny hours before Game Four against the Lightning.
“I guess something like that can happen in our universe. But I don’t think that was the case on Monday night. Check your sources,” he dropped, directing his message to the host in question.
Whether that’s true or not, Panthers players now have plenty of free time to do with their free time however they like.