Lightning vs. Avalanche - Game 3 - 6/20 8PM ET

[Hoek]

Can they turn things around at home, or will the Avs road dominance continue?

[dmaxf9]

Looks like Point may be out.

[Pat664422]

Game time decision. So at best, he's not at full strength.

[TexasBolt]

Sometimes you get into a groove playing without someone and it actually disrupts the team trying to bring him back into the lineup.

[aapbolt]

Whew we needed this one and they came through. I did not think the Avs were such dirty players, their attempt to hurt our guys should have gotten at least 2 thrown out along with 1 game suspensions. Refs really gave the Avs every break. Hope Kuch and Paul are ok along with Perry. I do wonder what Bettmanthought sitting in the box watching the game? Oh well now we need another win, let’s go get ‘‘em guys!

[Pat664422]

It was so good to see them making the little plays - winning puck battles, making it hard for Colorado to get out of their zone, forcing turnovers - after that abomination of a game 2..If we can somehow escape the injury bug, we should make this a long series.

[nutznboltz]

Maroon needs to give Cogliano and/or Manson a beat down...

[Hoek]

Riley Nash is 5-0. MVP.

I think the big difference is we really got our forecheck going, and without having to do crazy pinches with our defenders which led to all the odd man rushes against in the past two games. Special teams are still a concern. Really need to figure out something with the PK because it's almost an automatic goal every time and the refs strangely enough are OK with deciding games if it's about handing PPs to the Avalanche (certainly was never the case when our PP was dominant). At least the PP finally got a goal but we need more from them too.

Also fuck Toews. Obviously part of his shitbag Islanders DNA to intentionally injure Kucherov with a crosscheck, putting all his weight into his hip like that.

[Pat664422]

Maroon needs to give Cogliano and/or Manson a beat down...

It wasn't a beat down but in the third Kucherov put a solid hit on Manson in their corner and he went down like a sack of potatoes.

[aapbolt]

Toews should get a suspension for that hit. Cogliano is a jerk and should get a hearing for his hit. Really irritating the refs did not call majors on them because they warranted that. Yeah 5x5 we are beating them just have to continue. Hope Kuch and Paul can play.

[Top Shelf]

Totally agree with the majors that were missed and the suspensions that should have followed.

Par for the course.

Tampa Bay has never won anything because of referees doing their jobs right. I've seen most every game this team has played. With a few notable exceptions we've basically had to play against two teams on any given night since our inception, and that doesn't appear to be changing anytime soon—no matter how many Cups in a row we're going to win.

Not that more power plays would help when they're fixated on trying to PASS the puck into the net or can't get it out of their own end, but still

[dmaxf9]

Physical play is the key. Every skater has to finish their checks. Colorado really not a hitting/checking team. This year Colorado was 23rd in hits and Lightning were 4th. Last nite at the game Colorado had terrific speed but not really that physical.

[Bolthed]

Yep. I noticed they have very little interest in scrums around the net while the game is still in the balance. Almost as if their approach is to save their energy. Colorado is a skating team, and they’re good at it. They use their sticks well, but as noted, they’re not overly physical. You know who they remind me of exactly? The President’s Trophy winning Lightning in 2019.

[nutznboltz]

Cogliano sucker punched Sergachev in a scrum near the Av's bench, that's not the hockey player code. To be a devil's advocate a bit, Kucherov did cross check Toews (I did not see if something happened to Kuch prior to that first), then Toews had his chance and took it, and Kuch's knee bucked a bit as he was going down into the boards. I just hope it wasn't his hip that got damaged and we are down both Point and Kuch tonight. That would be tough, unless others stepped up a lot.

[Pat664422]

I haven't seen clear video of Kuch cross checking Toews, but I can believe it. The way Toews cross checks Kuch is strange, he does it on a downward angle in the hips. Usually you see them do it to the ribs or back.