Here’s what to know and how to watch for Game 4: In Their Words It’s the perfect opportunity to level the field once again and tie this up at two. Stamkos will sit out tonight, while both teams prepare for the first night of a back-to-back. A magical return of Steven Stamkos propelled the Tampa Bay Lightning through a wild Game 3, but the series is far from over. With the tax advantages, linemates and opportunity to win again that Palat and Paul have, I think they will recognize how good they have it and stay in Tampa for reasonably discounted prices that fit the Bolts’ cap structure.Corey Perry and his Dallas Stars might be down, but they aren’t out yet. Killorn’s contract wouldn’t be an impediment for teams around the league looking to add a solid top-nine forward for their playoff push next season. I suspect the Lightning will prioritize the more productive playoff performer Palat, and the younger Paul, over Killorn if push comes to shove. Killorn carries a cap hit of $4.45 million for one more year, a contract that will be much easier to move than say, Ryan McDonagh’s four more years at $6.75 million. He still played big minutes for the Bolts but seemed snake-bitten around the net. His zero goals and four assists in 23 postseason games was not what anyone expected from the 25-goal regular season performer. He’s still a very effective and reliable player, even though his playoff point production would suggest otherwise. I’m guessing all arrows point to 32 year-old Alex Killorn. At the very least, that distinction is on pause. Had the Lightning captured a third championship, I think we could have started using the D word, but not now. It makes for heroes, villains and the best drama. There is something special about a team that dominates, that expects to play for the championship every year, and that all other teams have to dethrone. I grew up in a golden age of dynasties – teams like the Edmonton Oilers, Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers, and more recently, the New England Patriots and Golden State Warriors. It’s not that there is any asterisk attached to the Lightning’s Cup wins – in fact, it may have been harder to win those Cups than in a normal year, but it just seems that some of the shine on their accomplishments was diminished by the odd circumstances.įurther, while I understand the desire for parity in the NHL, I don’t mind a dynasty one bit. The Lightning’s first Cup was won in an empty arena in Edmonton during the bubble tournament, and their second was played against an Eastern Division foe that emerged from a pandemic-driven Canadian division which permitted only a smattering of fans to be in attendance during Tampa’s road games. They were better and more resilient champions than anyone had given them credit for, and yet, improbably, they felt like huge underdogs.Īpart from admiring their will and courage, it also occurred to me that maybe the Lightning deserved to win a Cup that wasn’t imprinted with the stain of the pandemic. Or maybe it was just their willingness to launch their bodies in front of pucks time and time again. Maybe it was the understated and humble passion from their leaders, Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman, or their head coach, Jon Cooper, that won me over. Why is it, then, that I feel a twinge of sorrow for the Lightning?įor starters, they showed an effort and resolve in defeat that was incredibly valiant. Yup, you won’t hear too many violins playing or find too many people crying about the Bolts’ loss to the Colorado Avalanche in the Stanley Cup Final. As individuals, most of them have two rings, none pays state income taxes and they can go to the rink in flip flops most of the year. They have a great arena, one of the league’s best owners and a relatively good chance of keeping most of their team together this off-season. As an organization, they came close to winning three straight Stanley Cups. I know it’s hard to feel bad for the Tampa Bay Lightning.
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