NHL Stanley Cup Preview: Avalanche vs Lightning
Nathan MacKinnon and the Avalanche stand in the way of Steven Stamkos and the Lightning’s quest for their third consecutive Stanley Cup.
Season Series: COL 2-0; TBL 0-1-1
The Avalanche are coming off a sweep of the Oilers and will have had 8 days of rest before game 1, while the Lightning just had a tough 6-game series with the Rangers and will be coming off just 3 days of rest.
How They Got Here
The Avalanche have made their way to the Stanley Cup Finals and have only played 14 games to get here. They have been advancing with a blistering offense, the most goals scored of any playoff team, averaging 4.6 goals per game. Nathan MacKinnon has been at the forefront of the Avalanche’s attack. With 11 goals in 14 games so far in the playoffs. Defensemen Cale Makar has been lights out as well, with 17 assists in just 14 games in this Stanley Cup playoff run. The Avalanche have had to use both goalies through the first three rounds. Darcy Kuemper has played 10 games but suffered an eye injury in the series against Nashville and an upper-body injury that saw him sidelined 3 games against the Oilers. Backup, Pavel Francouz has been very good filling in for the injured Kuemper, Francouz has started 4 games but has a record of 6-0 with a 2.87 GAA and a .906 SV%.
Tampa Bay has been to three straight Stanley Cup Finals and is going for the three-peat. The Lightning just knows how to win and they continue to show they can get it done. The Avalanche could be the toughest Stanley Cup opponent that they have had to face yet though. Nikita Kucherov has been great so far in this run, with 23 points (16 assists) in the 17 games it has taken to get to the finals. Andrei Vasilevskiy has shown he is still one of the best goalies in the league on this playoff run. Vasilevskiy has a 2.27 GAA and .928 SV%.
Special Teams
Colorado Avalanche
Colorado has been electric on the powerplay netting 14 powerplay goals on 45 powerplay attempts, good for 31%. The Avalanche have so many playmakers scattered on both powerplay units and they have been effective in this playoff run. Colorado has also only taken 22 penalties in 14 games, a huge difference from the Lightning’s 63 penalties taken.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Although the Lightning have taken 63 penalties, they have only allowed 10 powerplay goals, good for an 84% penalty kill. Tampa also has 14 powerplay goals, but they have 62 attempts on the powerplay, about 22%.
Key Players
Colorado Avalanche
Nazem Kadri suffered an injury in game 3 of the series with the Oilers that saw him leave the game and not return. He did not play in game 4 either. All the time off the Avalanche have had has helped heal the injury but it is unknown if Kadri will be able to suit up for game 1. Kadri is the second-line center and a key piece to this Avalanche forward core.
Devon Toews is a vital piece to the blueline. He takes a more defensive role so his partner, Cale Makar, can join in on the rush and be the great playmaking defenseman he is. Makar and Toews are a great partnership and a huge reason for Colorado’s success.
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning have been getting clutch goals from the bottom 6 forwards all playoffs long. The first line has the only forwards with more than 10 points though. If Anthony Cirelli and Alex Killorn both produce in these finals, the Lightning could be hard to stop. Victor Hedman will have his hands full trying to top MacKinnon and the speedy forwards of the Avalanche all series. We know how good he can be and will be vital to the Lightning’s chances of winning another Stanley Cup.
Goaltending
Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche has not said who would be starting Game 1. Francouz has played great filling in for the injured Kuemper. Kuemper has said he is 100% and ready to play but the decision is tough based on how well Francouz has played. Francouz has started 4 games but has a record of 6-0 with a 2.87 GAA and a .906 SV%. He also has a shutout in the playoffs. A big decision looms for head coach Jared Bednar.
Tampa Bay Lighting
No questions about who is in net for the Bolts, Andrei Vasilevskiy has had yet another great playoff run. Sporting a 2.27 GAA and .928 SV% with a shutout in the playoffs. Vasilevskiy is putting together another great playoff run that could see him win the most valuable player in the postseason if the Lightning can get the job done.
Keys to Victory
Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche will win if they can handle the pressure and get good goaltending. The Avalanche are going to have to deal with the Lightning who have kept the same core of players during these past 3 seasons that have plenty of Stanley Cup experience. Choosing the right goalie will prove vital to their chances. Both goalies have played well in the playoffs so that makes the decision even harder.
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lighting will win if the bottom 6 forwards continue to produce and have timely goals. The experience that Tampa Bay has will be a nice advantage against a team that could be overwhelmed at the start of the series. The Lightning should take little time getting accustomed to the energy surrounding the finals with their history. Brayden Point coming back would be huge for them as well, he has only played 7 games in the postseason due to an injury suffered in game 7 against the Maple Leafs.
