RTP Daily, September 21st: Six or Less
Are we all ready for the end of the season?
There’s bittersweet excitement with every game in this series, on the one hand we all want that championship winner to be unveiled but on the other, end of hockey? While the draft will be an exciting event to look forward to, I think I speak for everyone when I say this series must go to game 7. Even if it does go to that far, a week from today would be the final game of the season; insane.
While the Dallas Stars took a commanding lead in game 1; the Tampa Bay Lightning aren’t a team that will will fall back and be walked over. It is no question that the Dallas Stars had more time to rest and get a closer look at their opponent but now that the series is underway; the Bolts will get their momentum back and when they do, that skillset is hard to beat.
In all fairness, the Stars are not an easy task themselves and the best part of this series is, other than maybe the hatred for Corey Perry, you can’t rally be upset with the final winner. Both teams have shown a lot of skill and bite in these playoffs and it’s safe to say this series is probably even more unpredictable than the usual Stanley Cup final matchups.
Tonight’s Game
Dallas Stars @ Tampa Bay Lightning, 7:30PM EST, DAL leads series 1-0
Will the Stars take the coveted 2-0 lead or have the Bolts shaken off their New York Islanders fatigue?
Coach Jon Cooper is being incredibly careful on how he responds to Steven Stamkos questions and after saying that the Captain probably won’t play in Game 2, he also closed off with this interesting quote: “I guess there’s always a chance (he plays in Game 2), but as of now, I don’t think so. You’ll have to tune in and find out.”
There is no doubt, many want to see Stamkos back on the ice and to be part of the Championship should the Bolts win the whole thing but at what point do they risk the flow of the team and his health? It’s quite possible they wait to see if they get either desperate or safe before adding him in even though it’s hard to ever feel safe in the Finals.
Will Steven Stamkos Play This Series?
| Yes, he will be in the lineup for Game 2 | 3 |
| No, it’s too much of a risk to him and the team | 10 |
| Yes, but later in the series | 23 |