It wouldn’t have come any other way Nathan MacKinnon. The Avalanche has not passed the second round of the playoffs in recent years. Now that Colorado has reached the Stanley Cup Finals, it must beat two-time defending champion Lightning.
Game 1 is Wednesday night in Denver.
I’m glad we’re playing Tampa Bay, ”MacKinnon said. I’m really excited for the challenge. It’s going to be very difficult, but I believe in this group and we all believe in each other.
Colorado is a favorite to win, but must beat an opponent who has won 11 consecutive series.
Having been the NHL’s benchmark for success during the salary cap, the Lightning may be the first team to win three consecutive crowns since the Islanders were crowned four consecutive years since 1980.
MacKinnon tries to follow the example of another athlete from Cole Harbor, Nova Scotia: Sidney Crosby. He won his first cup in 2009 when the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Detroit Red Wings, champions in 2008.
The Lightning were the first team since the Edmonton Oilers, from 1983 to 1985 when they had Wayne Gretzky in their ranks, to reach the Finals three consecutive seasons.
They have long been the best. We have a chance to knock them off their pedestalsaid Cale Makar.
We’re trying to start something special and they want to be a dynasty. Couldn’t ask for a better scenarioadded the star defender.
The Lightning first overcame a 3-2 deficit against the Toronto Leafs in the first round, then 2-0 against the New York Rangers in the Eastern Final.
Tampa Bay completed its win against the Leafs by eliminating its first center, Brayden Point, who injured his right foot in Game 7. Point also missed the next two rounds.
If Point returns to play as scheduled on Wednesday, the Lightning will have a full squad.
Nothing guaranteed, but it was nice to be with the team againsaid Point, who trained with his team on Tuesday.
Forwards Nazem Kadri and Andrew Cogliano, both injured, may not be in Colorado. Defender Samuel Girard will not play due to a broken sternum in the second round.
Tampa Bay core Steven Stamkos, Victor Hedman, Nikita Kucherov, Ondrej Palat and Alex Killorn are in the Finals for the fourth time since 2015.
Lightning reached the conference final six times during that time.
Our group was very good at not giving ourselves a chance to aspire to the Stanley Cupsaid Captain Stamkos.
We had difficult paths, but we were never confused. We stick to what makes us successful. I am proud of our efforts and now we are here [en finale]He added.
The Canadian Press
Source: Radio-Canada
