Lightning Sweep President Trophy Winning Panthers In Stunning Upset- 5/23/22

To those who are currently blaming goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky for this series loss, after he kicked in the puck which scored the first official goal tonight for the Lightning, you didn't pay attention to this series or especially the game.  Sorry, you just didn't.  Two goals were called off for the Tampa Bay Lightning, and they still won 2-0.  For what I saw, tonight was a sad and shocking breakdown of the full Panthers team.  Personally, I can't even put into words what happened.  What I can put into words is how this wasn't just Sergei Bobrovsky's mistake which lost this series, tonight.  This series is over due to the Panthers losing 4 straight games to the Lightning.  Tonight, the Panthers had 49 shots on the Lightning goal, not one went in.  The Lightning had 25 shots on goal, roughly half of the Panthers total.  of those 25, 4 goals happened but 2 were called off.  My point here is that the Panthers Offense and Defense didn't play their best tonight.  Likely, this contributed to Bobrovsky trying to do far too much in net, which led to him losing and then knocking that puck in with his skate, giving the Lightning their first official goal of the night.  After an Empty Net goal in the final seconds, even with the Panthers best efforts, this series is now over.  

As I said, I'm shocked.  I'm not trying to rip this team apart, I had the Panthers in my NHL Bracket winning the 2022 Stanley Cup.  I'm just sadly doing what I have to, I'm reporting what happened and why former Columbus Blue Jacket Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky is now out of the playoffs, along with his current team.  With that being said, the game is now in the books, along with the series.  Round 2 is over for the Panthers and Lightning, as the Lightning advance after a 4-0 Series Win.  

This really sets up the Lightning to do well in Round 3, no doubt.  The Rangers won last night in Game 3, which extends their series with the Hurricanes to a Game 5 at least, and that's if the Rangers lose the next 2 game.  Is it possible?  Yes, because anything is possible.  However, I don't see the Rangers coming off a win like yesterday's and just letting that fight go.  Regardless of when that series ends, the Lightning will just be resting up until it's go time again, whereas the Rangers or Hurricanes, whoever wins, will come straight from that series and right into the next.  Personally I believe this short series could've put the Lightning into the Stanley Cup Final, depending on how long a rest they get and who they face.  Remember, the Rangers and Hurricanes have already faced Round 1 Game 7's.  The Lightning haven't played nearly that many games, and will now get a rest.  Things could get very interesting from here on in the West, especially with the Panthers now out of contention.  

With that all being said, let's go back to the Panthers again.  They won a series and for a team which hadn't in twenty-six-years, that is something to be celebrated.  Another great hope for fans is that this team will likely be whole next year, meaning they can build off of this season and make alterations where needed.  It isn't great for the Columbus Blue Jackets, but great competition always is!  Panthers fans, I'm not really one of you, I'm The CBJ Writer.  With that being said, I really wanted to see Bobrovsky and team lift that Stanley Cup this season.  It won't happen, but next season is anyone's for the taking.  You won the Presidents Trophy, and your first series in twenty-six-years.  No, it isn't a cup, but no one can take either of those monumental wins from you all this season.  

Until we're rivals again, cheers to a good post-season guys, truly.  

Lightning...wow, can you strike three times?  We'll see.