TAMPA | For the first time since the glorious days of Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier with the Edmonton Oilers from 1983 to 1985, the same team will participate three years in a row in the Stanley Cup final.
The Lightning achieved this rare feat by clinching their ticket to the Finals with a 2-1 victory in Game 6 of the Eastern Finals against the New York Rangers yesterday at Amalie Arena.
Jon Cooper and the Lightning will have the opportunity to make history with the possibility of three wins in a row, a feat not seen in the NHL since the New York Islanders and their four coronations from 1980 to 1983.
But there will be a mighty machine in the road for the Lightning in the Finals with the Colorado Avalanche.
“We are a special group,” said Steven Stamkos. We haven’t reached our goal yet. But we have a special team. We lost players and found ways to replace them. I’m really proud of our team. I’m looking for my words, we’re going back to the final. »
Great Stamkos
Pat Maroon had stars in his eyes on the eve of Game 6 when he spoke of his captain, Steven Stamkos. “He doesn’t just score goals, he blocks shots and he shoots,” said the big winger. We want to follow him. »
For this sixth game, Stamkos returned to his main identity, that of a dangerous scorer. Number 91 scored both goals against Igor Shesterkin.
Stamkos had the game-winning goal in the third period seconds after Frank Vatrano’s equalizer on the power play. The Ontarian took advantage of a precise pass from Nikita Kucherov to flee in front of Shesterkin. He redirected his return shot with his leg to lead his team to the big dance.
“Vasi is better”
The other big star of this game wore a mask and leg warmers. Still sparkling in decisive encounters, Andrei Vasilevskiy blocked 20 shots to sign another victory. If he did not receive a ton of shots, the Russian still performed small miracles, such as his save with the pad against Copp. In the third period, supporters of Amalie Arena chanted this little phrase to taunt Shesterkin: “Vasi is better. »
Yes, Vasilevskiy still remains the master, but Shesterkin could dethrone him one day.
Hedman sounded
The Lightning keep hopes alive for Brayden Point in the Stanley Cup Finals. If there is light for Point, the Lightning will be crossing their fingers not to lose another star player. Jon Cooper probably feared for Victor Hedman.
In the second period, Alexis Lafrenière hit Hedman with his left elbow directly to the head. The Swede returned to the bench immediately after the impact. Before retreating to the locker room, he released his rage by smashing his stick against the boards. Out for the rest of the second period, Hedman was back on the blue line for the start of the third period.
Without Kakko
Gerard Gallant had said in the morning that he would explore the possibility of changes for this sixth meeting. Gallant kept his word. He made a bold move by dropping winger Kaapo Kakko from his squad. Second overall pick in the 2019 draft, Kakko had a good start in this Eastern final as part of the youth trio with Filip Chytil and Lafrenière. The Finn had however slowed down since the third meeting.
In the stands since the fourth game of the first round against the Penguins, Dryden Hunt replaced Kakko. Hunt failed to energize the Blue Shirts offense.
First period
No goal
Penalties: none
Second period
1-TB: Steven Stamkos (8)(Palat, Sergachev) 10:43
Penalties: Sergachev (TB) 3:29, Rooney (NYR) 3:29, Panarin (NYR) 12:59
Third period
2-NYR: Frank Vatrano (5)(Copp) AN-13:07
3-TB: Steven Stamkos (9)(Kucherov, Palat) 13:28
Penalties: Perry (TB) 2:26, Stamkos (TB) 11:45
Shoot to the net
NY Rangers 7 – 6 – 8 – 21Tampa Bay 11 – 12 – 8 – 31
Guardians:
NYR: Igor Shesterkin (P, 10-9), TB: Andrei Vasilevskiy (G, 12-5)
Numerical advantages:
NYR: 1 in 2, TB: 0 in 1
Referees:
Chris Rooney, Jean Hebert
Linesmen:
Ryan Gibbons, Jonny Murray
ASSISTANCE:
19,092