What a year 2015 has been in sports for me already just four months in. So far in 2015 the following incredible wins have happened
1. Badgers win Outback bowl for first bowl win in 5 years
2. Packers win nailbiter in playoffs against Cowboys
3. Baders shock undefeated Kentucky
4. Bolts get huge comeback in game 4 down 2-0 with five minutes left
5. Bolts win game seven
But it has also given these gut wrenching losses
1. Packers collapse NFC Championship
2. Badgers lose national championship
Crazy year full of ups and downs so far. Last nights game was a perfect example of why I love sports and hockey. Crazy intensity, nail biting every second for 2.5 hours, I couldnt sit down and was screaming at the TV nonstop all night and was emotionally exhausted by the time it was all over. Its time to jump right into round 2 however, as the Bolts will head to Montreal to face the Canadiens tomorrow night. How do they matchup?
The Bolts got a little lucky as the Habs were up 3-0 in their first round series and had a chance to sweep. if they had succeeded they would be way more rested than Tampa. But Montreal struggled to close out their first round, losing two in a row and ended up taking six games to win so they are now not that much more rested.
Montreal is a one man show, but that one man is often enough to win. Carey Price is by far the best goaltender in the world, but this year the Lightning has been his kryptonite. in 70 games against teams not named the Lightning Carey Price allowed 2.10 goals per game. in 5 games against the Lightning he has given up 4.25 goals per game. That's a problem because Montreal has a weak offense so they need to win games 2-1 or even 1-0 sometimes. Of the 8 teams remaining in the playoffs Montreal is last in goals per game in the playoffs as they averaged just 2.00 goals per game in the 1st round.
Of the 8 teams remaining n the playoffs the Bolts are 7th in power play percentage as they were 2 for 30 in the 1st round or 6.7%. The only team worse? Montreal who went 1 for 20 or 5.0%.
This is a very weird series in that both teams have revenge on their mind, The Bolts looking for revenge for losing to the Habs in the playoffs last year, and the Habs looking for revenge for going 0-5 against the Bolts in the regular season. My biased prediction: Bolts in 4, my legitimate prediction: Bolts in 6.
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Saturday, April 18, 2015
Game Two Recap: That's More Like it: Bolts dominate again, but with different result, 5-1
Rather than trying to change things up after a tough loss in game one, the Bolts simply stayed the course and played to their game, assuming their work would pay off and the dam would break eventually, and they were right. Petr Mrazek is an average goalie at best, and the Bolts knew if they kept getting their shots eventually they'd start going in.
Another electric crowd filed into the arena in what was likely a must win game. The Bolts got things started early just three minutes into the game as an early power play got them on the board 1-0. The score stayed that way until halfway through the second period when after 90 minutes of play in the series the Lightning finally broke open the flood gates. The Bolts scored three times in the final 10 minutes of the second and opened up a 4-0 lead after two periods. Detroit would go with back up goalie Jimmy Howard in the 3rd and both teams tallied a goal in that period, though the Bolts easily could have scored a couple more.
This was the type of game that Game one should have been. The shots on goal disparity wasnt nearly as much as in game one, as the Bolts outshot Detroit 30-24 today, but they still controlled the tempo and pace for most of the 60 minutes in play. Goalie Ben Bishop was also much more solid today, making up for his lackluster play in game one. As long as the Lightning play the way they have the first two games they will have no problem moving onto the 2nd round.
The series will now shift to Detroit though for games 3 and 4 and the Bolts for some reason were way less impressive on the road than at home this season so we will have to see if they can maintain that play. Game 3 is Tuesday at 7:00. Go Bolts!
Another electric crowd filed into the arena in what was likely a must win game. The Bolts got things started early just three minutes into the game as an early power play got them on the board 1-0. The score stayed that way until halfway through the second period when after 90 minutes of play in the series the Lightning finally broke open the flood gates. The Bolts scored three times in the final 10 minutes of the second and opened up a 4-0 lead after two periods. Detroit would go with back up goalie Jimmy Howard in the 3rd and both teams tallied a goal in that period, though the Bolts easily could have scored a couple more.
This was the type of game that Game one should have been. The shots on goal disparity wasnt nearly as much as in game one, as the Bolts outshot Detroit 30-24 today, but they still controlled the tempo and pace for most of the 60 minutes in play. Goalie Ben Bishop was also much more solid today, making up for his lackluster play in game one. As long as the Lightning play the way they have the first two games they will have no problem moving onto the 2nd round.
The series will now shift to Detroit though for games 3 and 4 and the Bolts for some reason were way less impressive on the road than at home this season so we will have to see if they can maintain that play. Game 3 is Tuesday at 7:00. Go Bolts!
Friday, April 17, 2015
Game One Recap: Lightning lose game they absolutely dominate, 3-2
The wounds are still fresh in the heads of players and fans alike. After a terrific regular season last year the Bolts were promptly trashed and swept in the first round by the Montreal Canadiens. This year was dubbed as the redemption tour, as the team was determined to put that ugly performance behind them and come out swinging in this years playoffs. Unfortunately winning a playoff game for this group will have to wait until Saturday as the Bolts lot game one at home 3-2 despite absolutely dominating the Detroit Red Wings.
It wasn't supposed to go this way. The team that went 32-9 at home this season isn't supposed to immediately lose their first playoff game in front of a raucous crowd. The Lightning came out firing to begin the game outshooting Detroit 6-0 in the first seven minutes, but as fate would have it, despite being dominated the first seven minutes Detroit would score on their first shot of the game. Shot were 7-1 Lightning but the score was 1-0 Red Wings. The Bolts would even the score at 1 on a shorthanded breakaway from Brian Boyle. The score would remain tied at 1 after a period.
It didnt take long into the second for the Wings to regain the lead, as just 8 seconds into the period Pavel Datsyuk scored and gave them the two to one edge. The rest of the period would again be dominated by the Bolts but Wings goalie Petr Mrazek held strong and the score was 2-1 heading to the 3rd.
Six minutes into the 3rd Detroit would add a shorthanded goal of their own, the game winning goal to put them up 3-1. It was an inexcusable goal for Bolts goalie Ben Bishop to let in, as it should have been an easy save. After this goal the air was let out of the building and all went quiet. The Bolts got back within one and mounted a furious rally the final ten minutes, but couldn't find the net to tie the game.
Just how much was this game dominated by the Lightning. The final shots on goal are as followed
Lightning: 46
Red Wings: 14
That is not a typo. The Lightning outshot the Wings by 32 and still lost. This one can simply be chalked up to bad luck. I have no doubt the Bolts will rebound and win game two and this series. Game two is Saturday at 3PM.
I have said it often and will say it again. There is absolutely nothing like being at an NHL playoff game in person. I have been to Lambeau Field, Fenway Park, MLB playoff games and NBA playoff games, but nothing else compares. The passion, intensity, and atmosphere is unmatched. Even though yesterday was a loss it was great to be back at a Bolts playoff game and I am already looking forward to being back Next Saturday for Game 5.
It wasn't supposed to go this way. The team that went 32-9 at home this season isn't supposed to immediately lose their first playoff game in front of a raucous crowd. The Lightning came out firing to begin the game outshooting Detroit 6-0 in the first seven minutes, but as fate would have it, despite being dominated the first seven minutes Detroit would score on their first shot of the game. Shot were 7-1 Lightning but the score was 1-0 Red Wings. The Bolts would even the score at 1 on a shorthanded breakaway from Brian Boyle. The score would remain tied at 1 after a period.
It didnt take long into the second for the Wings to regain the lead, as just 8 seconds into the period Pavel Datsyuk scored and gave them the two to one edge. The rest of the period would again be dominated by the Bolts but Wings goalie Petr Mrazek held strong and the score was 2-1 heading to the 3rd.
Six minutes into the 3rd Detroit would add a shorthanded goal of their own, the game winning goal to put them up 3-1. It was an inexcusable goal for Bolts goalie Ben Bishop to let in, as it should have been an easy save. After this goal the air was let out of the building and all went quiet. The Bolts got back within one and mounted a furious rally the final ten minutes, but couldn't find the net to tie the game.
Just how much was this game dominated by the Lightning. The final shots on goal are as followed
Lightning: 46
Red Wings: 14
That is not a typo. The Lightning outshot the Wings by 32 and still lost. This one can simply be chalked up to bad luck. I have no doubt the Bolts will rebound and win game two and this series. Game two is Saturday at 3PM.
I have said it often and will say it again. There is absolutely nothing like being at an NHL playoff game in person. I have been to Lambeau Field, Fenway Park, MLB playoff games and NBA playoff games, but nothing else compares. The passion, intensity, and atmosphere is unmatched. Even though yesterday was a loss it was great to be back at a Bolts playoff game and I am already looking forward to being back Next Saturday for Game 5.
Sunday, April 12, 2015
Lightning Season Review/Playoff Preview
The Tampa Bay Lighnings 82 game regular season concluded yesterday, and as everyone expected they were one of the top teams in the entire NHL and enter the playoffs as one of the favorites to take home the Stanley Cup. Let's quickly review some numbers from the Lightnings regular season.
The Lightning finished the season with a 32-9 home record, far and away the best in the NHL. The second best home record in the league was Nashville who went 28-13, a healthy four wins less. Unfortunately their road record was much worse, as the Bolts only went 18-23 on the road, which is the worst road record among the 16 playoff teams. Overall the Bolts 50-32 record was good for the 5th best record in the NHL out of the 30 teams. The Bolts also went 14-1 (WOW) in home games against division opponents, the best record in division home games in NHL history!
The Lightning didn't build up their great record just by beating weak teams either. The Bolts were at their best against their best opponents. As I said, the Bolts finished with the 5th best record in the NHL. Their record against the 4 teams that finished ahead of them? 10-2. The Rangers finished with the best record in the NHL but the Bolts dominated them all year long going 3-0 against them by a combined score of 15-7. The Canadiens barely edged out the Bolts for the division title, but its not because they could beat the Bolts, as Tampa finished 5-0 against the division winning Canadiens by a combined score 21-8.
The Bolts finished the season with 259 goals, or 3.16 Goals Per game, best in the NHL. Only two other teams average 3.00 goals per game. The Bolts allowed 2.51 goals Per Game, which was 12th in the NHL. The Bolts average a whopping 3.39 Goals per game at home, again number one in the NHL.
The Lightnings first round opponent will be the Red Wings, another team they faced very well against in the regular season. Tampa managed a 3-1 record against Detroit by a combined score of 12-9. The Bolts won their two home games against Detroit by a combined score of 8-2. My Prediction: Bolts in 5
Go Bolts!
The Lightning finished the season with a 32-9 home record, far and away the best in the NHL. The second best home record in the league was Nashville who went 28-13, a healthy four wins less. Unfortunately their road record was much worse, as the Bolts only went 18-23 on the road, which is the worst road record among the 16 playoff teams. Overall the Bolts 50-32 record was good for the 5th best record in the NHL out of the 30 teams. The Bolts also went 14-1 (WOW) in home games against division opponents, the best record in division home games in NHL history!
The Lightning didn't build up their great record just by beating weak teams either. The Bolts were at their best against their best opponents. As I said, the Bolts finished with the 5th best record in the NHL. Their record against the 4 teams that finished ahead of them? 10-2. The Rangers finished with the best record in the NHL but the Bolts dominated them all year long going 3-0 against them by a combined score of 15-7. The Canadiens barely edged out the Bolts for the division title, but its not because they could beat the Bolts, as Tampa finished 5-0 against the division winning Canadiens by a combined score 21-8.
The Bolts finished the season with 259 goals, or 3.16 Goals Per game, best in the NHL. Only two other teams average 3.00 goals per game. The Bolts allowed 2.51 goals Per Game, which was 12th in the NHL. The Bolts average a whopping 3.39 Goals per game at home, again number one in the NHL.
The Lightnings first round opponent will be the Red Wings, another team they faced very well against in the regular season. Tampa managed a 3-1 record against Detroit by a combined score of 12-9. The Bolts won their two home games against Detroit by a combined score of 8-2. My Prediction: Bolts in 5
Go Bolts!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)