2021 NHL Playoffs

[TPIR_rules]

Here is my Stanley Cup Final prediction:


Tampa Bay over Montreal in 6

[SeaBreeze341]

I like Tampa to repeat regardless of if they do it in 4, 5, 7 or even six games.  I think Montreal was tested in the best way possible, based off of who or what their competition turned out to be.  I don’t know or think it’s enough, and you could see them getting blown out of the final.

If I had to choose a length for this series, I agree the Lighting wins in 6.  Assuming they hold at home, the Canadians need to steal a game on the road, obviously.  I really only see Tampa winning on the road; even if Montreal can steal a game, Tampa too much that they can rather easily steal 2 games on the road.

Carey Price is a big deal, and his team plays the type of game that can drive people crazy (similar to New York).  Of course it took the Lightning 7 games to close out the Islanders, so while they’re prepared to beat the Canadians, they might struggle doing so.  In fact, they might not win the series, but I think they will.  Their goaltender in Vasilevskiy is a nice asset which may result in Montreal finding it impossible to have any success in the Stanley Cup Final

[SeaBreeze341]

The series got off to a predictable start with Tampa Bay routing Montreal 5-1.  The series continues Wednesday night on NBCSN, and then starting on Friday, it's on NBC for the remainder of the final.


Here is the schedule, for your information:

06/28: Canadians at Lightning (Tampa leads 1-0)
06/30: Canadians at Lightning (8:00 PM EST) +
07/02: Lightning at Canadians (8:00 PM EST)
07/05: Lightning at Canadians (8:00 PM EST)
07/07: Canadians at Lightning (8:00 PM EST) *
07/09: Lightning at Canadians (8:00 PM EST) *
07/11: Canadians at Lightning (7:00 PM EST) *

* If Necessary
+ On NBCSN

By the way, despite the adjustments due to the Olympic Trials amongst other stuff, the Stanley Cup Finals has always aired a couple games on NBCSN.  Recently it's been Games 2-3 (after it was Games 1-2 and 3-4 before that)

[mellongraig]

For those of you viewers in Canada (and some areas near the Canada/US border), the games are on Sportsnet and CBC.

[SeaBreeze341]

Tampa Bay takes a 2-0 series lead.  While not as bad looking as game one, it appears that Montreal's style of hockey is not going to cut it against the champs

[mellongraig]

I think Montreal would have preferred to play the New York Islanders to be honest, not to mention that they were trying to get the capacity at the Bell Centre to 10,500 for home games to maybe turn things around but that was denied. Still while anything is possible, I think the Tampa Bay goalie is making the difference in this series.

[bigblue999]

Tampa's one win away from repeating as champions. Last time a team was swept in the Finals were the Capitals in 1998.

[SeaBreeze341]

Fortunately, it looks like things are going to get back to where the season & structure play out the way it did in 2018-2019.  I don't think Montreal gets anywhere near this point any other year.  Tampa probably wins against Colorado and Las Vegas, but they'd be battling to repeat.  Ditto within conference where they battle against teams like Pittsburgh, Washington, and Boston.  New York (Islanders) actually gave them a series, but NYI would have produced an awful series against Montreal.  Total coin-toss, but both teams play a game that's tough to watch and bad for hockey

[mellongraig]

Plus you also have Seattle joining into the mix for next season, so that will make it 32 teams in all, and that would mean 8 teams each of 4 divisions, with Arizona moving to the Central Division and Seattle playing in the Pacific Division. It will be interesting to see how Seattle will do as Vegas in their inaugural run made it to the Stanley Cup Final but lost to Washington in 5 games.

[PatrickRox80]

No sweep for the Lightning. The Habs force Game 5.

[Nate Powalie]

No sweep for the Lightning. The Habs force Game 5.

Yep. Josh Anderson, a former Blue Jacket, netted the OT winner, as Montreal beat Tampa 3-2. Game 5 will be Wednesday night at Amalie Arena in Tampa on NBC, with start time TBA.

[mellongraig]

Not only that but they also had to kill off a double minor penalty in the waning moments of the 3rd into overtime, and the drive for 25 is still alive, but still uphill knowing one team in the history of the Stanley Cup Final has overcome a 3-0 series deficit (that being the Toronto Maple Leafs).

Game 5 will also be seen on CBC/Sportsnet in the English market, and on TVA Sports in the French market. It will be at 8 pm Eastern on Wednesday.

[SeaBreeze341]

Anything is possible, but it's going to be extremely tough for Montreal to win another game, let alone 3.   Last night featured the type of OT goal that can "change a series" even though it's reserved for Game 6 (or even 5).  When you had it won, only to lose, it can bring a team down.

I just don't see Tampa being that team.  All of their victories were not close, whereas their loss was on the road in OT.  Still painful being unable to cash in off of their PP.  Not that they were listening to their mayor, but looks like her wish will be granted.  At least a chance to win at home. 

I think they will; in addition to being a much better team, the Lightning would be motivated to close it out on Wednesday, at home, in front of fans, & with the opportunity to celebrate their title in a way they really couldn't with ease in 2020

[PatrickRox80]

Congrats to the Lightning!

[mellongraig]

Anything is possible, but it's going to be extremely tough for Montreal to win another game, let alone 3.   Last night featured the type of OT goal that can "change a series" even though it's reserved for Game 6 (or even 5).  When you had it won, only to lose, it can bring a team down.

I just don't see Tampa being that team.  All of their victories were not close, whereas their loss was on the road in OT.  Still painful being unable to cash in off of their PP.  Not that they were listening to their mayor, but looks like her wish will be granted.  At least a chance to win at home. 

I think they will; in addition to being a much better team, the Lightning would be motivated to close it out on Wednesday, at home, in front of fans, & with the opportunity to celebrate their title in a way they really couldn't with ease in 2020

Looks like your prediction came true, but at least Montreal gave it their cinderella run and they had chances late in the 3rd to tie it up. My hope though given that a Canadian team is back in the Stanley Cup Final gives me hope that Canada will end its drought eventually.