For the first time in 21 years, when Patrick Roy, Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg, and Ray Bourque were all suiting up for the Avs against the Devils in the 2001 Stanely Cup final, the Colorado Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup.
Overcoming a raging Tampa Bay comeback, the Avalanche have knocked off the two-time defending champions in the best game of the Stanley Cup playoffs this year. Yes, this game may have not of been a goal feast, with the Avalanche only winning 2-1. And, yes, this game was tense, nervy, and was very limited in chances created (especially towards the end of the game).
Nevertheless, the fight the Tampa Bay Lightning gave and the unprecedented strength the Avalanche showed to hold their one goal lead for the entire 3rd period is what made this game (and this series) and all-time classic.
The Avalanche were the first team out of ELEVEN to defeat the Lightning in a series. That itself places this game and the series in the all-time best category.
Nathan Mackinnon was the difference for the Avalanche tonight. He was ice cold for the past five games, yet he came through for the Avs when they desperately needed him. Scoring the first goal tonight, then assisting in Lehkonen’s cup-winning goal brought down the Lightning.
The Avs were always destined to perform only as well as MacKinnon’s play in this series, and that’s why they won. He proved why he is one of the best players in the league with his play tonight.
Though, just crediting MacKinnon for this win tonight would be unjust. The whole Avs team played outstanding.
Makar, Manson, Toews, Eric Johnson, Jack Johnson, and Bowen Byram were unbelievable, blocking shot after shot, stifling the Lightning’s high-powered (yet gravely injured), two-time cup winning champion offense all series long.
Nichushkin, Landeskog, Rantanen, Kadri, Burakovsky, and MacKinnon were superb, clinical, and ruthless on offense, outscoring the Lightning 20-14 over six games.
And Darcy Kuemper was fantastic too. He silenced all his critics (me included) with only allowing 1 goal on 23 shots, earning himself a .957 SV% in the series clinching game.
Oh, how could I forget to single out the Conn Smythe winner Cal Makar? He personified what a James Norris Defenseman looks like (he was the well-deserving winner, in my opinion, too). He was unpassable on defense and as clinical as an all-star forward on offense throughout the playoffs.
His 29 points in 20 games was the highest by a defenseman in Avalanche history and in the playoffs this year. He is a great defense who may go down as the Avalanche’s greatest defender when his career is finally over.
Nonetheless, the Avalanche were the well-deserved champions in one of the greatest Stanley Cup playoffs in recent memory. Avalanche fans should remember and celebrate this championship for years to come as they earned it after years of playoff misfortune. Congratulations, Colorado Avalanche!
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