So, five years after meeting in the first round, it's a much better edition of the Tampa Bay Lightning vs. an up-and-down Pittsburgh Penguins team.
Well folks, this one is hard to call. Obviously, the big story is Steven Stankos. Whether he ever returns in the playoffs is an on-going story line. As is, whether or not Steven will ever play again for the Lightning, as he's set to become a free agent July 1st. "Free" though, isn't the word I'd use to describe what he'll be. Stamkos will have quite a price tag.
In an event, the Lightning have Ben Bishop in goal, doing exactly what he did all of last year's playoffs. Frustrate. Get under the shooters skin. Be clutch. You name it. Last year, before the start of the postseason I'm sure a lot of fans were wondering what kind of a goalie he'd be in the playoffs. No one was asking after.
Nor is anyone asking this postseason. Bishop has actually been better in 2016 than he was in 2015.
Last year, Bishop's numbers were: 13-11, 2.18 GAA and .921 S% (And three shutouts). This year, Ben is 8-2, 1.89, .938 (And two shutouts). He led the playoffs in shutouts last year and is doing that again (so far) this season. He is a game-stealer. Look for him to steal at least two games this series.
For the Pens, there are question marks. Sure, everyone is swept up in the amazing newcomer Matt Murray. But somehow, he doesn't look like he's in the class of Bishop. He has seven wins (Just two less than in the regular season), a shutout, a goals-against-average of 2.00. His save percentage is close to Bishop's, 9.30. Now, I agree on the surface that his numbers look on par to Big Ben's, but unless he's the second coming of Ken Dryden (Those old enough to remember the tall Montreal Canadians goaltender's amazing performance in 1971, you tell 'em!), I think he's clearly second best. And it's not even close. Bishop took his team to the finals last year, winning two series in seven, including a win in the finale against the Rangers on the road. Murray had to win the job from Jeff Zakoff in the playoffs. Marc-Andre Fleury hasn't played since March, finally recovered from his second concussion of the season. But he's in an awkward position to be shoved in there. So it will be Murray in there. For now, at least.
The Lightning have been getting plenty of opportunistic scoring from their "other" players. As, too, have been the Penguins. However, think about it this way: Tampa has gotten it done against Roberto Luongo and Thomas Greiss, two pretty good goalies! Are they going to have a problem with Murray? Hmmmm. Maybe. Maybe.
Not helping the situation is Sid Crosby and Evengi Malkin. They've been below par in recent games. The will need to get it going. Now.
Tampa Will Win If: Bishop continues to do what he's been doing. Having Stamkos return before game four, will also be a huge deciding factor. And if Tyler Johnson and Nikita Kucherov continue their great play.
Pittsburgh Will Win If: Crosby and Malkin get it going and play to their abundant capabilities. Also, Murray will continue to be sharp. Perhaps also, if Matt comes down to earth, and Marc-Andre Fleury returns and plays like he did in the regular season.
References
"Official Site of the National Hockey League" NHL.com. National Hockey League. Web. 13 May. 2016. <https://www.nhl.com>.
Sports Reference LLC. Hockey-Reference.com - Hockey Statistics and History. http://www.hockey-reference.com/. Web. 13 June. 2016.
Well folks, this one is hard to call. Obviously, the big story is Steven Stankos. Whether he ever returns in the playoffs is an on-going story line. As is, whether or not Steven will ever play again for the Lightning, as he's set to become a free agent July 1st. "Free" though, isn't the word I'd use to describe what he'll be. Stamkos will have quite a price tag.
In an event, the Lightning have Ben Bishop in goal, doing exactly what he did all of last year's playoffs. Frustrate. Get under the shooters skin. Be clutch. You name it. Last year, before the start of the postseason I'm sure a lot of fans were wondering what kind of a goalie he'd be in the playoffs. No one was asking after.
Nor is anyone asking this postseason. Bishop has actually been better in 2016 than he was in 2015.
Last year, Bishop's numbers were: 13-11, 2.18 GAA and .921 S% (And three shutouts). This year, Ben is 8-2, 1.89, .938 (And two shutouts). He led the playoffs in shutouts last year and is doing that again (so far) this season. He is a game-stealer. Look for him to steal at least two games this series.
For the Pens, there are question marks. Sure, everyone is swept up in the amazing newcomer Matt Murray. But somehow, he doesn't look like he's in the class of Bishop. He has seven wins (Just two less than in the regular season), a shutout, a goals-against-average of 2.00. His save percentage is close to Bishop's, 9.30. Now, I agree on the surface that his numbers look on par to Big Ben's, but unless he's the second coming of Ken Dryden (Those old enough to remember the tall Montreal Canadians goaltender's amazing performance in 1971, you tell 'em!), I think he's clearly second best. And it's not even close. Bishop took his team to the finals last year, winning two series in seven, including a win in the finale against the Rangers on the road. Murray had to win the job from Jeff Zakoff in the playoffs. Marc-Andre Fleury hasn't played since March, finally recovered from his second concussion of the season. But he's in an awkward position to be shoved in there. So it will be Murray in there. For now, at least.
The Lightning have been getting plenty of opportunistic scoring from their "other" players. As, too, have been the Penguins. However, think about it this way: Tampa has gotten it done against Roberto Luongo and Thomas Greiss, two pretty good goalies! Are they going to have a problem with Murray? Hmmmm. Maybe. Maybe.
Not helping the situation is Sid Crosby and Evengi Malkin. They've been below par in recent games. The will need to get it going. Now.
Tampa Will Win If: Bishop continues to do what he's been doing. Having Stamkos return before game four, will also be a huge deciding factor. And if Tyler Johnson and Nikita Kucherov continue their great play.
Pittsburgh Will Win If: Crosby and Malkin get it going and play to their abundant capabilities. Also, Murray will continue to be sharp. Perhaps also, if Matt comes down to earth, and Marc-Andre Fleury returns and plays like he did in the regular season.
References
"Official Site of the National Hockey League" NHL.com. National Hockey League. Web. 13 May. 2016. <https://www.nhl.com>.
Sports Reference LLC. Hockey-Reference.com - Hockey Statistics and History. http://www.hockey-reference.com/. Web. 13 June. 2016.
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