By : Mike Rifkin
The only thing between the Tampa Bay Lightning and making history are the Colorado Avalanche. The Lightning are looking to be the first team since the New York Islanders in the 1980s to win three consecutive Stanley Cups, while the Avalanche are looking for their first Stanley Cup since 2001. The Avs defeated the Predators, Blues and Oilers to get to the Cup final. While the Lightning defeated the Maple Leafs, Panthers and Rangers to get here. Both of these teams have major similarities.
This series will feature a former first overall pick for both teams Nathan Mackinnon (2013) for the Avalanche and Steven Stamkos (2008) for the Lightning. Both teams have former second overall picks Gabriel Landeskog (2011) and Victor Hedman (2009). Other top picks on both rosters include Both teams have also made big additions that have helped their lineups Nazem Kadri, Devon Toews and Darcy Kuemper for the Avs and Ryan Mcdonagh, Nick Paul and Brandon Hagel for the Lightning.
The Avalanche won both regular season meetings 4-3 in a shootout on October 23rd and 3-2 on February 10th. Andrei Vasilevskiy was 0-1-1 with a 2.96 GAA and a .919 save percentage vs the Avalanche this season.For his career Vasilevskiy is 1-3-1 with a3.41 GAA and a .877 save percentage vs Colorado. Darcy Kuemper was 2-0-0 vs the Lightning this season with a 2.40 GAA and .929 save percentage. In seven career games vs Tampa Kuemper is 4-2-0 with a 2.33 GAA and .920 save percentage. Gabriel Landeskog had two goals and an assist against the Lightning this season and has seven goals and 18 points in 17 career games vs Tampa. Nathan Mackinnon only played in one of the two regular season matchups and had a goal and two assists. Mackinnon has 10 goals and 23 points in 15 games in his career against the Lightning. Brayden Point had two goals and an assist vs the Avalanche this season. For his career Point has four goals and 8 points vs Colorado. Like Mackinnon Nikita Kucherov only played in one meeting between the two teams and had a goal In his career vs the Avs Kucherov has five goals and 10 points. Tampa’s power play was 0-6 in the two games combined while Colorado was 1-9.
Nazem Kadri and Andrew Cogliano who both got hurt during the Western Conference Finals could play at some point during this series. Brayden Point who got hurt in game seven of the first round will play at some point, might even be ready for game one.
One guy for Colorado who will not come back is Samuel Girard who broke his sternum in the second round. That has put more pressure on Cale Makar and Devon Toews and they have thrived this playoffs. Makar has five goals and 22 points this playoffs Toews also has put up five goals and 13 points but both were sensational against Connor McDavid and the Oilers in the Conference Finals. It will be interesting to see if Point comes back for Tampa if Jared Bednar matches them up against Point or Kucherov and Stamkos because I would guess Jon Cooper would split those three up. For Tampa the key matchup will be Hedman vs Mackkinon’s line, with home ice Bednar might get away from that but watch for Jon Cooper to matchup Anthony Cirelli vs Mackinnon
Conn Smythe Watch: AVS: Makar or Mackinnon. Tampa: Kucherov, Vasilevskiy, Stamkos.
X Factor Colorado : Andre Burakovsky: One of the few Avs players who has been here before. Burakovsky helped the Washington Capitals win the Cup in 2018.
Lightning : Ondrej Palat : Two times with under two minutes left to play in the Eastern Conference Finals Ondrej Palat scored the game winning goal. He doesn’t get the recognition as some of the Lightning stars but Palat has been a great playoff performer throughout his career.
Prediction : Lightning in 6. Vasilevskiy Conn Smythe.
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