Stanley Cup Finals: Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Colorado Avalanche ( Avs lead 3-2)

[Avaholic29]

Agree - Lightning have to focus even smaller = one period at a time

- First Period: weather the frenzy at the start of Game 5 and try to not get down by more than 1 goal
- Periods 2/3: keep the score close and try to get up by a goal or 2 (anything possible w/ Kuemper back there)

I think Avs would be so demoralized if they lose Game 5 it would be tough to recover before Game 7

The narrative that the avs get down on themselves and wither away should probably be dead by now. I do agree Tampa can easily tie it up but it won’t be due to Colorado wilting.

 

[LeafAttack]

Now that Kadri's back, the series is over, regardless if the Avs lose the next game at home. They play just fine on the road. It's all about having Kadri back. Never thought he would have that big of an impact after coming back from injury in his first game. He will be flying next game.

 

[Hasbro]

The narrative that the avs get down on themselves and wither away should probably be dead by now. I do agree Tampa can easily tie it up but it won’t be due to Colorado wilting.

It's weird how the narrative is the other team was always going to adjust, but never countenancing the idea that the Avs can change things up.

 

[Gruyeriev]

Anyone that hates Corey Perry hates fun.

Who hates Corey Perry? He has such a nose for the net.

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[Rschmitz]

 

[jcs0218]

I get the sense that Tampa Bay doesn't have anything left in the tank, so this series will probably be over tomorrow evening.

This makes me feel a bit sad.

First, I wanted to see a three-peat in hockey for the first time in my lifetime. I have seen three-peats in baseball (Yankees 1998-2000) and in basketball (Bulls 1991-1993, Bulls 1996-1998, and Lakers 2000-2002). But never in hockey.

Second, I always get sad at this time of year when the hockey season is ending, knowing that it will be awhile before I get to watch another game. I am a Winter person and find Summer to be boring, especially without any sports. There is MLB, but with a 162-game season, it can be a grind to follow it intensely (although I am aware that each MLB game can be significant, since teams can often miss the playoffs by 1-2 games).

 

[Hasbro]

View attachment 561532

 

[RockLobster]

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Pretty much this.

Not saying specifically here, rather just around the internet in general, but I’m seeing way too many Avs fans and media pundits/talking heads acting as if the Avs winning is a foregone conclusion. 3-1 lead is very nice. VERY nice. But if they lose tomorrow and go *back* to Tampa 3-2…the tiniest bit of doubt could start creeping in.

They have 3 total kicks at the can…but would Avs fans *really* want to see TB and Vasilevskiy in a Game 7?

 

[auximenes]

I would assume Kadri saying as much during intermission, after having just played on it, might count? What evidence do you want, a sample of it mailed to you?

Kadri mentioned it a few times and also we can see it on TV.

Kadri's interviewer mentioned that he had told her the ice at Amalie Arena was trash. He said something to the effect like well what would you expect given that it has been like 105 degrees F in TB in the days leading up to the game. Regardless, back to Denver and hopefully we don't have to deal with that anymore.

I didn't see Kadri's interview, the 'bad ice' was brought up in the previous game and nobody would say why they thought it was bad, and TB's ice has been given good reviews over the years despite the hot weather. That's why I asked.

 

[Avaholic29]

Pretty much this.

Not saying specifically here, rather just around the internet in general, but I’m seeing way too many Avs fans and media pundits/talking heads acting as if the Avs winning is a foregone conclusion. 3-1 lead is very nice. VERY nice. But if they lose tomorrow and go *back* to Tampa 3-2…the tiniest bit of doubt could start creeping in.

They have 3 total kicks at the can…but would Avs fans *really* want to see TB and Vasilevskiy in a Game 7?

Nope I’m good on game 7 lol. The boys have to bring their A game tomorrow, Tampa won’t roll over.

 

[Colorado Avalanche]

I know the right call was made on the first Tampa goal but I still don't like it. What if the player shot it at Kuemper and hits him in the head without his mask? It could cause a serious injury.

I never got that one. Some games they shutdown the game immediately if goalie lose helmet and sometimes it's fine. I feel like there's no clear judging on it. Every ref blows it differently.

Although, I do agree that it shouldn't be always called. Some goalies have helmet very losely on their head and they can just drop it for a benefit.

When clear hit to head with the puck, I think the game should be called off.

 

[innitfam]

Honestly, I'm good no matter the result. I would prefer a Tampa win but the Avs are an amazing team. Full credit where it is due. I doubted the hell out of Kuemper prior to Game 4, but he was great.

Would love to see a rematch of this final within the next 2 years.

 

[DieselBoy]

Honestly, I'm good no matter the result. I would prefer a Tampa win but the Avs are an amazing team. Full credit where it is due. I doubted the hell out of Kuemper prior to Game 4, but he was great.

Would love to see a rematch of this final within the next 2 years.

Same man, I’m all for the Avs winning but if Tampa pulls out a 3 game miracle how do you not appreciate that. I want 7 games more than I want the Avs to win, so I guess I don’t have a favourite team afterall.

 

[Hasbro]

Pretty much this.

Not saying specifically here, rather just around the internet in general, but I’m seeing way too many Avs fans and media pundits/talking heads acting as if the Avs winning is a foregone conclusion. 3-1 lead is very nice. VERY nice.

And results in a series win 90.4% of the time.

 

[BurnabyJoe7]

Annoying that both OT games went to Colorado. It's down to so little in the end.

It really comes down to the better team winning. Avs were dominating both of those OTs and deserved it.

 

[zeroG]

And results in a series win 90.4% of the time.

so... teams come back from 3-1 a couple of times each post-season on average (1 in 10).

 

[Vancouver Canucks]

Cheapest tix are currently ~1300

Oh, wow. That can be half of someone's monthly salary.

 

[Grigowski]

It will come down if Tampa can weather the storm in the first period. I fully expect my team to come out on fire and going for the early kill and leaving no doubt who will win this game.

You never count out Tampa and ther ability to come back.

But for me it looks like Tampa is exhausted and running out of gas. Include the injury to Cernak and Cirelli and their banged up players, include the altitude and include last change for the AVS. and the crowd at Ball Arena... This is much to overcome.. Maybe too much......

Anything can happen. The AVS not getting their nerves under control etc.....

But i still think this thing ends tonigt.

 

[David71]

its over tmr. colorado will score first and come out guns and blazings. tampa is too beat up. time to dethrone the two time defending champs.

 

[Vancouver Canucks]

its over tmr. colorado will score first and come out guns and blazings. tampa is too beat up. time to dethrone the two time defending champs.

Just as COVID-19 is starting to disappear...

 

[Richard88]

Cumulative Corsi through 4 games:

 

[Ms Maggie]

Pretty much this.

Not saying specifically here, rather just around the internet in general, but I’m seeing way too many Avs fans and media pundits/talking heads acting as if the Avs winning is a foregone conclusion. 3-1 lead is very nice. VERY nice. But if they lose tomorrow and go *back* to Tampa 3-2…the tiniest bit of doubt could start creeping in.

They have 3 total kicks at the can…but would Avs fans *really* want to see TB and Vasilevskiy in a Game 7?

I'm sure they'd prefer to end it today.

But they *really* beat Vasi 3 times already. Pretty clear he doesn't scare them.

 

[FinnLightning26]

Like I said before the series, I wouldn't be mad about losing to Colorado since I think they're the better team. I would've been mad about losing to Dallas or Montreal since we were miles better than either of those teams.

That said, it's not impossible to win three against the Avs but it'll be next to it. If this run finally comes to an end after 11 straight series wins, all I have to say is, it's been one hell of a run and I'll forever be thankful for witnessing it.

 

[Vancouver Canucks]

Like I said before the series, I wouldn't be mad about losing to Colorado since I think they're the better team. I would've been mad about losing to Dallas or Montreal since we were miles better than either of those teams.

That said, it's not impossible to win three against the Avs but it'll be next to it. If this run finally comes to an end after 11 straight series wins, all I have to say is, it's been one hell of a run and I'll forever be thankful for witnessing it.

Definitely a win-win for Tampa Bay and Colorado.
Nice to see a Tampa fan seeing the reality.

 

[Backcheckmonster3]

It’s too bad Point is injured, lightning take at least one or both of game 1 and 4 if Point was playing and like 80% healthy.

It’s not really possible to have enough depth to make up for losing the #1 playoff goal scorer in the league and the Lightning still managed to make it to the SCF without him.

Too bad Girard is injured and Kuemper play with 1 eye. Avs would have swept the floor with tbaes if that wasn´t the case.

Fantasy world is fun.