It has been an interesting trip back to the finals for the two-time defending Lightning. Tampa Bay found themselves down 2-0 against the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference Finals, before winning four straight and advancing to the Finals. Star of that series was elite Russian goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy, and he’s a big reason why some expect the Lightning to nail down a three-peat.
The 2022 Stanley Cup Finals start this Wednesday night, with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Colorado Avalanche vying to hoist Lord Stanley’s cup.
All-star defenseman Cake Makar leads the slightly favored Avalanche into this year’s Finals.
Colorado has led the NHL in wins (137) the past three regular seasons and have been dominant in post season play, going 12-2. But they will have their hands full as Tampa Bay is determined to become the first team to win the Stanley Cup in three straight seasons since the New York Islanders did it four times between 1980-83.
Despite being two-time defending champs, the Lightning are actually underdogs in this series. The Avalanche are star-studded on both offense and defense, will have more rest, and home-ice advantage going into the Finals. Even so, they lack the playoff experience that Lightning superstars Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov have gained throughout their illustrious careers. If Colorado hopes to hoist Lord Stanley’s Cup, they’ll also have to get past Vasilevskiy, whom many consider to be the best goalie on the planet.
Superstar goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy is a big reason why the Lightning are expected to make it a three-peat in this year’s championship.
It should be a great Stanley Cup Finals – don’t be surprised to see it go all seven games. Greeley Avenue Bar & Grill will be home ice all throughout the Finals, with all matches taking place on the Big Screen. It is truly the next best thing to being there. (If you take into account beer prices, it’s even better!) The Finals will be covered by ABC, with veteran announcer Sean McDonough calling the action and former-player-turned-analyst Ray Ferraro breaking down the game.
So be here this Wednesday night for Game 1. The puck drops at 5 PM!
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