The Colorado Avalanche were crowned Stanley Cup champions for the first time in 21 years. To achieve this, she eliminated the two-time defending champions.
The Avalanche defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 on Sunday to win the final series in six games.
This is the third title for the Avalanche in its history and a first coronation since 2001.
Nathan MacKinnon was the catalyst for his side with a goal and an assist while Artturi Lehkonen scored the winning goal. The Avalanche’s two goals came in the middle frame.
Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar won the Conn-Smythe Trophy as the playoffs’ most valuable player.
Steven Stamkos, who hit the target just under four minutes into the opening faceoff, was the Lightning’s lone scorer.
Darcy Kuemper stopped 22 shots in the win. His vis-à-vis, Andrei Vasilevskiy, made 28 saves.
Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar became the first driver to lift the Kelly Cup (ECHL), Calder Cup (AHL) and Stanley Cup.
Forward Patrick Maroon’s three-championship streak has come to an end. However, Corey Perry extended his Stanley Cup Finals losing streak to three. He had lowered his flag with the Dallas Stars in 2020 then with the Montreal Canadiens in 2021.
The Lightning once again had to do without star center Brayden Point.
For its part, the Avalanche had to deal with the absence of the hero of the first game – the scorer in overtime – Andre Burakovsky, injured since the second confrontation of the series.
A match like trench warfare
The Lightning got off to a great start. After an inconclusive power play, he opened the scoring at 3:48.
After a zone exit where Makar was hampered, the puck bounced off Ondrej Palat’s skate before ending up on Stamkos’ stick. The Lightning captain simply slipped the disc between Kuemper’s pads to give the hosts the lead.
Late in the first period, the chances began to arise for the Avalanche. Nazem Kadri was frustrated by Vasilevskiy then, minutes later, Lehkonen’s deflection hit the post with full force.
Only 1:54 after returning from the locker room to start the second frame, the Avalanche tied the game. Bowen Byram passed the puck to MacKinnon who unsheathed on reception. His slapshot went just under Vasilevskiy’s shield.
Going down three-on-two at 12:28 in the second period, Josh Manson and MacKinnon tried to combine their effort to score. However, MacKinnon’s pass was blocked by a Lightning player, but ended up on the paddle of teammate Lehkonen, who beat Vasilevskiy with a shot to the far top corner.
The Lightning appeared frustrated with the storyline and committed several wrongdoings. Ryan McDonagh hit Darren Helm hard near the boards and Stamkos fired the puck at an official.
The Avalanche didn’t take their foot off the gas in the third period and continued to generate several scoring chances. Vasilevskiy, however, stood up to the shots and allowed the Lightning to believe in a comeback.
Nikita Kucherov got one of his best chances in the third period, when his one-timer was blocked by Kuemper with just under seven minutes to go. It was only Jon Cooper’s men’s second shot in the period.
With just over two minutes to go, the Lightning retired Vasilevskiy in favor of a sixth skater, but to no avail.