TAMPA | There is reason to have big ambitions when you are champion of the regular calendar. In such a situation, we do not expect to see his career come to an abrupt halt in the division final. Even less in four consecutive games.
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“Getting swept away is hard to swallow. It hurts, it sweats, ”said Aaron Ekblad, bluntly, at the end of this disappointing elimination for the Florida Panthers players.
For the second time in as many springs, the Panthers have come up against the Lightning. Last season, the troupe then led by Joel Quenneville managed to extract two victories from their state rivals. Is this a step back?
“No, supported 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 of the zone. We’re closer to the Lightning than we’ve ever been, but we got swept away, which means there’s definitely another level to go. »
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 applies to all the little details that make the difference,” said Brunette in reference to Steven Stamkos.
Tampa Bay players have indeed blocked 77 shots during this four-game confrontation.
“When you block your shots, in addition to having to pass through the number 88 [Andrei Vasilevskiy], it becomes difficult. It’s certainly frustrating for the opponent,” agreed Patrick Maroon, on the winning side.
The tight play of the two-time Stanley Cup champions is part of the reason the Panthers’ big guns have been silenced. Nevertheless, Aleksander Barkov does not want to use this as an excuse.
“I could have played a lot better,” said the Selke Trophy finalist. The effort was there, but I could have played better. »
This is also the case for the massive Florida attack, which has hit the target only once in 31 occasions in their 10 playoff games.
“I take the blame for that portion,” Brunette said. All summer, I’m going to beat myself up for it. It’s my fault. »
fake scandal
In the morning, the hosts of a talk radio station in the Tampa area mentioned that a source had revealed to them that Panthers players had been seen, until 3 am, in the night from Sunday to Monday , in a local strip club.
A rumor that Brunette was quick to deny a few hours before the fourth game against the Lightning.
“In our universe, I guess that’s the kind of thing that can happen. But I don’t believe 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 will now have plenty of time to fill their free time however they choose.