TAMPA BAY — The Tampa Bay Lightning We have eliminated New York Rangers The Stanley Cup Final was reached for the third consecutive season by the team with the Colorado Avalanche Rested and ready.
These are five facts we have learned so far about Lightning in their 2022 postseason Journey and what they can mean for the final showdown.
The three-peat is within reach
Since 1983, the NHL has not had a three-peat team as Stanley Cup champion. New York Islanders They ended their dynasty. Six other teams have won back-toback Stanley Cups. Five of these teams did not advance beyond the second round. The Lightning won the East in this season.
“You don’t have these chances very often. They are rare. It’s almost like we have seen the summit of the mountain. Lightning coach Jon Cooper said, “Let’s keep going for even more.”
It’s a classic matchup in the Stanley Cup race: The Colorado Avalanche attempting to win their first Cup since 2001. After a few years of being a top contender, the Lightning trying to break through. They are four wins away from a historic achievement in the NHL’s salary-cap era.
Old faces have the same success, but a lot of them are elderly.
The Avalanche will be facing the Lightning team, whose core is almost identical to the ones that won back-toback Cups.
Tampa Bay is powered with stars
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Center Steven StamkosWith 481 career goals, he was the team captain
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Winger Nikita KucherovFormer league MVP and playoffs’ top scorer
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Center Brayden PointAlthough he missed two rounds because of injury, he has scored more playoff goals than any other player over the three past seasons.
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Defenseman Victor Hedman, Nominated for the Norris Trophy in the NHL’s top defensiveman for six consecutive seasons and playoff MVP for 2020
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Defenseman Ryan McDonaghA steady veteran
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Goalie Andrei VasilevskiyIn 2021, he was the MVP of the playoffs.
A cast of returning characters includes a winger to support them. Ondrej PalatTwo overtime-preventing, winning goals were scored by ; tough forwards Alex Killorn Pat MaroonThe ace defensive center, who is trying to play on his fourth straight Cup win; Anthony Cirelli, who shut down Rangers’ top line; and smooth-skating defense Mikhail Sergachev.
The most remarkable thing about this run? The Lightning lost their entire checking and key role players from the previous two Cup wins. They were replaced by veteran offseason pickups.Corey Perry, Pierre-Edouard Bellemare) and trade-deadline acquisitions (Brandon HagelNick Paul); and they haven’t missed a beat.
Julien BriseBois, GM, stated that they were searching for a “fit”. “We are looking for guys with pride and ambition. You will be motivated to do more even when things aren’t going your way. You will continue to succeed because of your ambition. You are still hungry for more.
Kucherov is a top-ranking member
Both the Lightning and Avalanche have top-level skaters that can dominate games. Kucherov is one of the best. Kucherov scored 23 points in 17 games. These points were distributed equally between the power play and 5-on-5. Kucherov has scored more NHL points than any other player in the last three postseasons. Kucherov’s goal-scoring skills are exceptional, but it is his playmaking and puck distribution abilities that enable him to rack up points.
He’s a pace-setter for the Lightning. They notice when he is confident and rolls offensively. When he comes off, you can hear the chatter from the bench. [the ice]. Stamkos explained that men know that their best player is “on” in big games.
Kucherov could become the playoff MVP if the Lightning win the third straight Stanley Cup.
Can the Avs defeat Vasilevskiy
Colorado was able to score some goals this postseason. The Nashville Predators The starter was not injured Juuse Saros. The St. Louis Blues lost a resurgent Jordan Binnington Injury in Game 3. Und Edmonton Oilers goalie Mike Smith Was… well, Mike Smith.
The combined save percentage against the Avalanche’s goaltenders is.886. However, the Stanley Cup Final will see the Avalanche face their toughest goal-minding competition — the player many consider to have the best goalie worldwide.
Vasilevskiy’s postseason was not a good start. He conceded 22 goals in seven games to the high octane. Toronto Maple Leafs. He was also great in the crucial moments, stopping 31 of 31 shots in Game 7. Vasilevskiy’s dominance has been unbroken, except for a Game 1 loss to the Rangers. Jon Cooper, the coach, said that Vasilevskiy “recovered his mojo” during the playoffs.
The Avalanche will face Vasilevskiy as one of the most outstanding postseason goalies in NHL History. It’s not about how great he is but when he’s at their best. In 23 series-clinching games Vasilevskiy had a 1.65 goals against average and six shutouts. His legacy could be solidified by a third consecutive Stanley Cup.
“When we look back, it’s something that will be there a long way. Killorn stated that it’s quite cool to play with someone who’s going down as one the greatest players to ever have played the game. That’s how you judge players: How they perform in big-time games. He has been nothing but extraordinary in these games.”
It’s the championship adaptability
The Avalanche have shown that they are a team who can win an 8-6 win as easily as they can win one with a 4-0 victory during their run to Final. They did both against the Edmonton Oilers. As Colorado star Nathan MacKinnon The Avalanche can play offensively at home, but then they can play boring and gross hockey on the road to slow down teams.
The Lightning has a recipe that the Avalanche is using to cook their upcoming championship season. Tampa Bay’s offensive players are able to match the Avalanche’s 4.64 goals per games, which is the best in the playoffs. The Lightning can win 1-0 with the help of their veteran players, who have shown the patience and poise required to do so.
Although it is impossible to predict the outcome of a series, it is not difficult to imagine the Stanley Cup Final becoming a battle between the Colorado offense as well as the many ways that the Lightning attempt to defend it. Their backbone is Vasilevskiy. Hedman, McDonagh and McDonagh average 47 minutes per match. They have a new checking line, with Hagel, Cirelli, and Killorn, who won the Rangers 5-on-5. A collection of forwards also joined them, who are proud to defend by all means.
“Does it get contagious? It can. You should not watch a man. [block a shot] You will then have the chance to try it. It’s not fun to sit on the bench if you aren’t willing to do it. Cooper said that men should follow Cooper’s example. Cooper said, “This has been our history for many years. It’s part of our culture.
A championship culture that will make it a memorable Stanley Cup Final against Avalanche.