NHL Morning Skate: Stanley Cup Final Edition – June 24, 2022
Game 5 Trends
* Teams with a 3-1 lead in a best-of-seven hold an all-time series record of 298-31 (.906), including a 2-1 (.667) clip in 2022 and a 35-1 (.972) mark in the Stanley Cup Final.
* A team has rallied from a 3-1 deficit to force a Game 7 on 63 occurrences, with 49.2% of those who forced a seventh and deciding game eventually winning the series (31 of 63). A team has rallied from a 3-1 deficit to force a Game 7 in a Stanley Cup Series six times with the most recent being the Oilers in 2006. The only team to win Game 7 was the 1942 Maple Leafs against the Red Wings.
Colorado
Game 5 record in best-of-seven: 25-16 (.610) overall, 15-11 (.577) at home
Game 5 record in Stanley Cup Final: 0-1 (.000), contest was at home
Leading 3-1 in best-of-seven: 12-2 (.857) overall, 9-2 (.818) starting at home; 1-0 in 2022
Leading 3-2 in best-of-seven: 13-5 (.722) overall, 7-3 (.700) starting at home
The Avalanche/Nordiques franchise have never led 3-1 in Stanley Cup Final
Tampa Bay
Game 5 record in best-of-seven: 17-13 (.567) overall, 5-8 (.385) on the road
Game 5 record in Stanley Cup Final: 1-3 (.250) overall, have yet to play on the road
Trailing 3-1 in best-of-seven: 1-2 (.333) overall, 1-2 (.333) starting on road
Trailing 3-2 in best-of-seven: 4-4 (.500) overall, 2-3 (.400) starting on the road; 1-1 in Stanley Cup Final
Pre-Game
* The Avalanche enters the potential series-clinching game sporting a 15-3 record and can join elite company should they oust the Lightning in Game 5. Since 1987 when all rounds became best-of-seven, only one team has finished a postseason with fewer than four losses: the 1988 Oilers, who went 16-2 plus their no-decision in the suspended game during the Final (which was tied 3-3 when called), en route to their fourth championship in five years.
* Colorado can become just the fifth team in the past 20 years to win the Stanley Cup after concluding the regular season atop its conference. Chicago (2012-13), Detroit (2007-08 & 2001-02) and Tampa Bay (2003-04) are the only clubs to do so through that span to date.
* Since his postseason debut during the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs, which began with a three-assist outing against the Wild in Game 1 of the First Round, only three players have netted more goals in potential series-clinching contests than Nathan MacKinnon (8 G in 11 GP): Bryan Rust (10 G in 19 GP), Jake Guentzel (10 G in 13 GP) and Brock Nelson (9 G in 13 GP).
* The Lightning will be facing elimination for just the fourth time dating to their first championship in 2020 (Game 6 & 7 of 2022 R1 vs. TOR & Game 7 of 2021 SF vs. NYI) – a run which has amassed 69 games in the past three postseasons. Each of those three elimination contests were decided by a one-goal margin with Tampa allowing only one goal or fewer in two of those games.
* Corey Perry leads the Lightning’s active roster in both goals and points in contests when his team has faced elimination (10-5—15 in 26 GP). Perry holds an all-time record of 14-12 in those scenarios as a member of the Lightning, Canadiens, Stars and Ducks – his experience and win total sits second amongst his teammates behind Ryan McDonagh (18-9; 27 GP).