Final -- Avalanche 2, Lightning 1
The Tampa Bay Lightning's run has come to an end, and the Colorado Avalanche are Stanley Cup champions.
The Colorado Avalanche are Stanley Cup champions. The Avalanche went into a fired up Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla., for Game 6 and left with a 2-1 win -- and a very large piece of hardware.
Colorado ended Tampa Bay's run of back-to-back Stanley Cups and captured its third championship in franchise history.
Legendary.#FindAWay #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/dMxTGN7ofQ
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) June 27, 2022
The Lightning jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, thanks to a goal from captain Steven Stamkos. However, the Avalanche took over the game from there. Colorado dominated the second period and was rewarded with goals from Nathan MacKinnon and Artturi Lehkonen. The Avs took a 2-1 lead into the locker room and shut down the Lightning from there.
Colorado completely smothered Tampa Bay in the third period. The Lightning didn't get a shot on Darcy Kuemper until there were roughly 10 minutes remaining in regulation. Not content to sit back and wait for the clock to tick down, the Avs remained aggressive in the final 20 minutes, and that made life incredibly difficult for the Lightning. Even in the empty-net situation, Tampa Bay failed to get quality shots on Darcy Kuemper.
After finishing at the bottom of the NHL standings just five years ago, the Avalanche hoisted the Stanley Cup for the first time since 2001, and they did it against one of the greatest teams of the salary cap era.
In the 2016-17 season, the Avalanche went 22-56-4, the worst mark in the NHL. Just five years later, the team is skating the Stanley Cup around Amalie Arena after knocking off the Tampa Bay Lightning.
General Manager Joe Sakic had a plan for this Avalanche team, and he executed it to perfection. Ever since that awful year in 2016-17, Colorado has only ascended, and it began with the draft that summer. The Avs actually slid to the No. 4 overall selection in the draft lottery, but it worked out because the team drafted Cale Makar, who just won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the postseason. That jump started Colorado's rebuild, and the franchise didn't look back from there. This Stanley Cup has been several years in the making for the Avalanche, and they probably aren't even close to done.
The first five games of this Stanley Cup Final had to be frustrating for MacKinnon. Coming into Game 6, he had just one goal on 28 shots, but he kept chipping away and was the biggest difference-maker for the Avalanche in their series-clinching win.
MacKinnon has been the heart and soul of the Avalanche throughout their rebuild, and he developed into a top-five player in the league. Despite his poor luck in this Stanley Cup Final, MacKinnon kept his poise and refused to get frustrated. In Game 6, MacKinnon scored the game-tying goal and assisted on the game-winning goal by Lehkonen. Considering how much MacKinnon has meant to the Avalanche, it was only fitting that he was the one who delivered in this game.
The Tampa Bay Lightning fell just two wins short of winning three straight Stanley Cups, something that has only been done five times in NHL history. While this loss will sting, the Lightning still managed one of the most impressive runs of the salary cap era.
The Lightning won 11 straight playoff series, which is a monumental feat when you consider the restraints that the salary cap, free agency, expansion draft, and pandemic have placed on teams in recent years. Everyone from general manager Julien BriseBois to head coach Jon Cooper to the players deserve all the praise in the world for delivering so consistently in a three-year span. I doubt Tampa Bay is going anywhere soon, and it would probably be a mistake to think otherwise. The team is still loaded with talent, but we can still appreciate the greatness it's shown in each of the last three postseasons.
The Tampa Bay Lightning's run has come to an end, and the Colorado Avalanche are Stanley Cup champions.
The special moments. #GoAvGo pic.twitter.com/o8zBz80y3w
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) June 27, 2022
For the final time this season... goodnight hockey fans. ❤️ #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/UGdrLu6Pdb
— NHL (@NHL) June 27, 2022
Pure elation. 🥳 #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/9IbOQijeVG
— NHL (@NHL) June 27, 2022
. . . turn the lights off, carry me home. 🏆🎶#NHLStats #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/jhsjLyD9CM
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) June 27, 2022
See you Thursday, Avs Faithful 😎
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) June 27, 2022
More information: https://t.co/crtsHw8Kvm#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/lLRLtgh8Nh
Summer won’t be the same without you, @patmaroon.
— The Stanley Cup (@StanleyCup) June 27, 2022
Dreams coming true 💭 pic.twitter.com/c6EzDBQ92Z
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) June 27, 2022
We can still hang out, @TomBrady.
— The Stanley Cup (@StanleyCup) June 27, 2022
Gabriel Landeskog
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) June 27, 2022
🤝
Captains born and trained outside North America to hoist the Cup#StanleyCup #NHLStats: https://t.co/iZ2ZASnOPC pic.twitter.com/xd2moOi5Z3
The @avalanche win the #StanleyCup!
— Bud Light (@budlight) June 27, 2022
And another W – we just signed @6erikjohnson to an Honorary Brewmaster contract to make a Champs' batch of Bud Light for Avs fans 🙌🏻 Drop a 🏒 if you'll be first in line to grab one 🙌🏻 pic.twitter.com/TiwCTjOTTt
The @avalanche win the #StanleyCup!
— Bud Light (@budlight) June 27, 2022
And another W – we just signed @6erikjohnson to an Honorary Brewmaster contract to make a Champs' batch of Bud Light for Avs fans 🙌🏻 Drop a 🏒 if you'll be first in line to grab one 🙌🏻 pic.twitter.com/TiwCTjOTTt
Lift it high fellas, you deserve it. 👏 #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/9BiLodwXWu
— NHL (@NHL) June 27, 2022
See you Thursday, Avs Faithful 😎
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) June 27, 2022
More information: https://t.co/crtsHw8Kvm#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/lLRLtgh8Nh
Three different leagues and three different championships – nothing new for @Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar. #StanleyCup#NHLStats: https://t.co/iZ2ZASnOPC pic.twitter.com/nQrIoHvgZv
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) June 27, 2022
The @avalanche are already leaving their mark... 😉 #StanleyCup
— NHL (@NHL) June 27, 2022
Cc: @keeperofthecup pic.twitter.com/IzxhoowVay
.@Avalanche the fellas have a MASTERPIECE for you this period…
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) June 27, 2022
🎶All the Small Things🎶 pic.twitter.com/xcfBWD4UUs
TURN THE LIGHTS OFF CARRY ME HOME 🏆#StanleyCup | @Avalanche pic.twitter.com/Kl8xYfFBYa
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) June 27, 2022
Talk about an icon.#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/39vmPn3UBo
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) June 27, 2022
A tough opponent, but SO MUCH respect 🤝
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) June 27, 2022
Thanks for a great series, Tampa. #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/5YgwCm8yB9
The 2021-22 season is now complete. ☑️ #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/jhTynQj7Zw
— NHL (@NHL) June 27, 2022
The @Avalanche are now undefeated in all three of their #StanleyCup Final appearances ⛰
— ESPN (@espn) June 27, 2022
🏆 1995–96
🏆 2000–01
🏆 2021–22 pic.twitter.com/puV6rB7ZcU
A tough opponent, but SO MUCH respect 🤝
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) June 27, 2022
Thanks for a great series, Tampa. #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/5YgwCm8yB9
Klutch Kuemper.#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/Fdhng17YyF
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) June 27, 2022
What a run, @TBLightning.
— The Stanley Cup (@StanleyCup) June 27, 2022
From the bubble to the boat parades, you've been amazing hosts.
Can't forget about Joe! 🤣 #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/sFO9krD0Fd
— NHL (@NHL) June 27, 2022
Lucky Lehky.#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/Pe4HFczCYx
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) June 27, 2022
Oopsie... 😂 #StanleyCup https://t.co/efNLDWGM4W
— NHL (@NHL) June 27, 2022
Another beauty mark. https://t.co/IaSmgAVhzf
— The Stanley Cup (@StanleyCup) June 27, 2022
No words ♥️ #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/9vB7Rn3uq2
— NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) June 27, 2022
Cale Makar our Conn Smythe.#AllHailCale #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/HOGpHP8esO
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) June 27, 2022