For the first time since 2001, the Colorado Avalanche are Stanley Cup champions. Colorado fell short of closing out the series on their home ice in Game 5, and an early goal by Tampa’s Steven Stamkos in Sunday’s game made it seem as though a Game 7 was inevitable. However, two goals in a dominant second period proved enough for the ‘Lanche to claim their third championship. Colorado officially ended Tampa Bay’s quest for a third-straight championship by the final score of 2-1.
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The victory caps off an incredible season for Colorado and, more importantly, signifies a successful five-year rebuild. The Avalanche steadily improved since finishing dead last in the 2016-17 season, though they were knocked out in the second round of the playoffs each of the last three seasons. This year’s Avalanche squad had a sense of resiliency and grit the previous groups were lacking, pushing them over the hump to secure the elusive prize. Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog accepted the Stanley Cup from the NHL’s deputy commissioner Bill Daly. Landeskog savored his hoist, planting a kiss on what many consider the greatest trophy in professional sports.
Colorado defenseman Cale Makar won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Most Valuable Player of the playoffs. He finished with 29 points in just 20 games, including 7 in the Stanley Cup Final. At just 23 years old, Makar becomes the youngest defenseman in over fifty years to win the trophy. But it was Nathan MacKinnon who was the big star in Sunday’s clincher. He scored the game-tying goal and assisted on the game-winner, rebounding from a frustrating first five games.
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For Tampa Bay, every dynasty must suffer a loss at one point. The team fell just two wins short of winning three straight Stanley Cups – a feat that has only been accomplished five times in NHL history. Although this loss will certainly sting, the Lightning will retain more than enough talent to reclaim their throne next season.
The 2022 Stanley Cup Final was a rare example of the two best teams in the NHL battling it out for glory. Both Colorado and Tampa Bay were betting favorites to make the final entering the season, and it isn’t crazy to think these two teams might meet again in next year’s Final.
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