Category: 2021-2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs

2022 Stanley Cup Final | Game 4 Review – Colorado Avalanche at Tampa Bay Lightning

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NHL Morning Skate: Stanley Cup Final Edition – June 21, 2022 
NHL Morning Skate: Stanley Cup Final Edition – June 22, 2022
Stanley Cup Final Information Guide – for registered users of media.nhl.com only 

Game 4 Trends 

* Teams with a 2-1 lead in a best-of-seven hold an all-time series record of 373-165 (.693), including a 4-7 (.364) clip in 2022 and a 43-11 (.796) mark in the Stanley Cup Final.

* 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.

* There have been 285 best-of-seven series in NHL history that were tied 2-2 after four games, including eight in 2022 and 26 in the Stanley Cup Final. The winner of Game 5 in that scenario holds an all-time series record of 224-61 (.786), including a 5-3 (.625) clip in 2022 and 19-7 (.731) mark in the Stanley Cup Final.

* The Lightning will try to become the 14th team in NHL history to even a best-of-seven Final at 2-2 after losing the first two games. The Lightning would be the third defending champions to accomplish the feat, following the 1966 Canadiens and 1962 Black Hawks.

* Teams with a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven hold an all-time series record of 341-54 (.863), including a 47-5 (.904) clip in the Stanley Cup Final. The five teams to win a Cup after overcoming a 2-0 series deficit in a best-of-seven Final are the 2011 Bruins, 2009 Penguins, 1971 Canadiens, 1966 Canadiens and 1942 Maple Leafs. The 1942 Maple Leafs are the only club to claim a championship after rallying from a 3-0 series deficit in the Final. 
 

Colorado
Game 4 record in best-of-seven: 29-20 (.592) overall, 20-10 (.667) on road
Game 4 record in Stanley Cup Final: 1-1 (.500), both on road
Leading 2-0 in best-of-seven: 16-4 (.800) overall, 13-3 (.813) starting at home; 2-0 in 2022
Leading 2-1 in best-of-seven: 15-8 (.652) overall, 11-5 (.688) starting at home; 1-0 in 2022
Leading 3-1 in best-of-seven: 12-2 (.857) overall, 9-2 (.818) starting at home; 1-0 in 2022
Tied 2-2 in best-of-seven: 11-11 (.500) overall, 6-5 (.545) starting at home

Tampa Bay
Game 4 record in best-of-seven: 22-13 (.629) overall, 8-7 (.533) at home
Game 4 record in Stanley Cup Final: 2-2 (.500) overall, have yet to play at home
Trailing 2-0 in best-of-seven: 2-4 (.333) overall, 1-1 (.500) starting on road; 1-0 in 2022
Trailing 2-1 in best-of-seven: 6-5 (.545) overall, 3-4 (.429) starting on road; 2-0 in 2022
Tied 2-2 in best-of-seven: 8-6 (.571) overall, 3-4 (.429) starting on road; 2-0 in 2022
Trailing 3-1 in best-of-seven: 1-2 (.333) overall, 1-2 (.333) starting on road 


Goals Galore 

* There have been 549 goals scored this postseason, the sixth-most in a four-round playoff year in NHL history and highest count in 29 years (581 in 1993).
 

* There have been at least seven goals scored in each of the first three games of the Final. Only two championship series in NHL history saw that happen in each of the first four contests: 1980 and 1918. 


* The NHL record for most combined goals through four games in a Stanley Cup Final is 36, seen in 1981 between the Islanders (21) and North Stars (15) and 1918 between the Vancouver Millionaires (20) of the PCHA and Toronto Arenas (16). 

* Four goals in Game 4 by the Avalanche (13 goals in 3 GP) would make them the highest-scoring team through four contests in a Stanley Cup Final in 34 years. The 1988 Oilers completed a sweep of the Bruins by outscoring them 18-9 in the four completed contests.

* The Avalanche can become the 10th team in NHL history to score first in each of the first four games of the Stanley Cup Final. The 2016 Penguins (4 GP vs. SJS) are the only club to do so in the past 23 years. The record is six games, by the 1987 Oilers (vs. PHI) and 1975 Flyers (vs. BUF). 

As Series Progress, So Too Do Lightning 

* The Lightning are 10-2 in Games 3 through 7 in the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs, including a perfect 3-0 mark in Game 4s. They posted a 3-5 record in Games 1 and 2. 

* Andrei Vasilevskiy enters Wednesday with a 13-4 record, 2.32 goals-against average, .925 save percentage and one shutout in 18 career Game 4s (17 of which have been starts).

In-Game

* Mikko Rantanen (4-10—14 in 8 GP) extended his point streak to eight games and now has 0-8—8 in the 2022 Stanley Cup Final. He became the 10th different player in NHL history with eight or more assists in a Final and just the second in the last 30 years, joining Daniel Briere in 2010 (3-9—12 in 6 GP w/ PHI).

* Mikko Rantanen (0-8—8 in 4 GP) became the second player in NHL history with eight assists through the first four games in a Stanley Cup Final, joining Wayne Gretzky in 1988 (2-8—10 in 4 GP w/ EDM). Gretzky’s totals include two helpers in the suspended contest on May 24.

* Cale Makar (7-20—27 in 18 GP) and Mikko Rantanen (5-20—25 in 18 GP) and recorded their 20th assists of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs and established a new Avalanche/Nordiques franchise record for most in a postseason.
 

* Cale Makar’s assist on Colorado’s first goal was the 47th by an Avalanche defenseman this postseason, besting 1996 (46) for the most in one playoff year in franchise history. That equals the fifth-highest total by any team in one year in playoff history.

* Cale Makar’s point on Colorado’s first goal was the 64th by an Avalanche defenseman this postseason, equaling the 1989 Flames for the fourth-most in one playoff year in NHL history, behind only the 1985 Oilers (77), 1994 Rangers (66) and 1981 Islanders (65).

* The Avalanche have scored five consecutive special-team goals dating to Cale Makar’s shorthanded marker at 2:04 in the third period in Game 2. The only team with a longer such streak during a Stanley Cup Final is the Islanders with nine straight during the 1980 championship series (since 1933-34 when goals by type were officially tracked).

* Victor Hedman (3-14—17 in 21 GP) put the Lightning up 2-1 and now has 17 career Stanley Cup Final points. He passed Brad Park (7-9—16 in 16 GP) and Stefan Persson (3-13—16 in 18 GP) and moved into a tie with Allan Stanley (4-13—17 in 46 GP) for 11th place on the NHL’s all-time Final points list among defensemen.

* Victor Hedman (2020–2022) became the sixth defenseman in NHL history to score at least one Stanley Cup Final goal in three straight seasons, joining Tom Johnson (1952–1955 w/ MTL), Denis Potvin (1980–1982 w/ NYI), Andre Dupont (1974–1976 w/ PHI), Red Kelly (1954–1956 w/ DET) and Gus Mortson (1947–1949 w/ TOR).

* Cale Makar became the fifth defenseman in NHL history with 20 assists in a single postseason, joining Paul Coffey (25 in 1985 w/ EDM), Al MacInnis(24 in 1989 w/ CGY), Brian Leetch (23 in 1994 w/ NYR) and Miro Heiskanen (20 in 2020 w/ DAL). Coffey (16 GP in 1985) is the only blueliner among that group to reach 20 helpers in fewer games than Makar (18 GP).

* Nathan MacKinnon (40-50—90 in 68 GP) reached 90 career playoff points in 68 games. The only other active player to record 90 career postseason points in 68 games or fewer is fellow Nova Scotian Sidney Crosby (33-57—90 in 66 GP).

* Nathan MacKinnon became the third player in franchise history to score 40 playoff goals with the Avalanche/Nordiques, joining Joe Sakic (84 G in 172 GP) and Peter Forsberg (58 in 140 GP). Only seven players in NHL history reached 40 career postseason goals in fewer games than MacKinnon (68 GP): Mario Lemieux (46 GP), Brett Hull (54 GP), Maurice Richard (54 GP), Wayne Gretzky (56 GP), Jari Kurri (58 GP), Mike Bossy (59 GP) and Denis Savard (65 GP).

* Cale Makar factored on five straight Avalanche goals, a streak which ended when Andrew Cogliano pulled Colorado even at 2:53 of the third period. Makar became the third defenseman in NHL history to have a point on five consecutive team goals in a Stanley Cup Final, joining Paul Coffey in 1985 (6 G w/ EDM) and Eddie Bush in 1942 (6 G w/ DET).

Overtime


* This is the 96th overtime game in the history of the Stanley Cup Final. Road teams own a 50-42-3 advantage in the 95 prior contests.
 
* This is the 15th Stanley Cup Final in which at least two of the first four games required overtime and first since 2016 (also 2 between PIT and SJS).

* The Lightning own an all-time record of 2-4 in overtime games during the Stanley Cup Final, while the Avalanche are 2-0. Tampa Bay’s wins were during Game 4 in 2020 (OTG: Kevin Shattenkirk) and Game 6 in 2004 (OTG: Martin St. Louis), while its other losses were during Game 4 in 2021, Game 5 in 2020 and Game 5 in 2004. In addition to Game 1, Colorado’s other overtime contest was its championship-clinching win in 1996 (Game 4; OTG: Uwe Krupp).

* The Lightning are 23-15 all-time in playoff games which required overtime (1-1 in 2022), including a 9-8 record at home. Colorado is 45-33 (4-1 in 2022), including a 25-14 mark on the road.

* The Lightning (23-15, .605; 4th) and Avalanche (45-33, .577; 6th) both sit among the top six in all-time playoff overtime win percentage. The only teams with a higher such percentage than Tampa Bay are NY Islanders (.645), Anaheim (.615) and Carolina (.614), while Ottawa (.579) sits fifth between the Lightning and Avalanche.

* Corey Perry is the only current Lightning player with an overtime goal during the Stanley Cup Final. He had the double-overtime winner against Tampa Bay in Game 5 of the 2020 Final as the Stars staved off elimination.

* Corey Perry (TBL) and Andre Burakovsky(COL) are the only players on either roster with an overtime goal in the Final. Only four players in NHL history have multiple career overtime goals in the Stanley Cup Final: Maurice Richard (3), John LeClair (2), Jacques Lemaire (2) and Don Raleigh (2).

* Seven players in the Lightning lineup have at least one overtime goal in the playoffs: Corey Perry (5), Nikita Kucherov (2), Anthony Cirelli (1), Victor Hedman (1), Pat Maroon (1), Ryan McDonagh (1) and Ondrej Palat (1).

* Seven players in the Avalanche lineup have at least one overtime goal in the playoffs: Artturi Lehkonen (2), Nathan MacKinnon (2), Mikko Rantanen (2), Darren Helm (1), Gabriel Landeskog (1), Cale Makar (1) and Josh Manson (1). 

* The only player in NHL history to score an overtime goal in a Stanley Cup Final contest at Tampa is Oleg Saprykin (Game 5 in 2004 w/ CGY).


Post-Game


* Nazem Kadri, who returned to the Avalanche lineup Wednesday after missing their last four games, scored the overtime winner to give Colorado a 3-1 series lead.

* Nazem Kadri became the ninth player in NHL history to score an overtime goal in his Stanley Cup Final debut (and first to do so in a contest that wasn’t a Game 1). He joined Andrew Shaw (Game 1 of 2013 SCF w/ CHI), Anze Kopitar (Game 1 of 2012 SCF w/ LAK), Greg Adams (Game 1 of 1994 SCF w/ VAN), Petr Klima (Game 1 of 1990 SCF w/ EDM), Denis Potvin (Game 1 of 1980 SCF w/ NYI), Jacques Lemaire (Game 1 of 1968 SCF w/ MTL), Alf Pike (Game 1 of 1940 SCF w/ NYR) and Dave Trottier (Game 1 of 1935 SCF w/ MMR).

* Darcy Kuemper became the first goaltender in NHL history with an overtime assist in a Stanley Cup Final game and the fourth in any playoff contest, following Pekka Rinne (Game 6 of 2016 R2 w/ NSH), Tuukka Rask (Game 4 of 2010 CQF w/ BOS) and Dominik Hasek (Game 3 of 2002 CF w/ DET).

Defending Cup Champion Lightning Bounce Back, Beat Avalanche 6-2 in Game 3

On By CanucksBanterIn 2021-2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs, nhl newsLeave a comment
Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Pat Maroon (14) scores past Colorado Avalanche goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35) during the second period of Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final on Monday, June 20, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

By FRED GOODALL Associated Press

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Lightning’s bid for a three-peat is alive and well.

With Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov, Victor Hedman and Andrei Vasilevskiy leading the way, the star-laden, two-time defending champions beat the Colorado Avalanche 6-2 Monday night in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final.

The victory two nights after suffering the most lopsisded loss in the team’s playoff history trimmed Tampa Bay’s series deficit to 2-1 and breathed hope in the team’s quest to become the first franchise in nearly 40 years to win three consecutive NHL titles.

“There’s a reason why we’re here and there’s a reason why we won tonight. There’s a reason why this has gone on for the last couple of years,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said.

“The guys you need to lead you have been doing that, and then everybody falls in line,” Cooper added. “You watch Stammer’s growth and Hedman’s growth through the years, and it’s probably not a coincidence that winning has followed us.”

Stamkos, Pat Maroon and Ondrej Palat each had a goal and an assist, and the Lightning scored four times in the second period to bounce back from an embarrassing 7-0 loss in Game 2 of the best-of-seven matchup.

Anthony Cirelli, Nicholas Paul and Corey Perry also scored to help Tampa Bay storm back after playing poorly while losing the first two games on the road. Kucherov and Hedman had two assists, and Vasilevskiy stopped 37 shots.

“I don’t know why we started the series the way we did. … But any way you slice it, it’s 2-1 now,” Stamkos said.

“A big part, too, is our goaltender,” Cooper added. “For him to go through what he went through two nights ago and then perform like he did tonight … not only that, but to have them score first and then have the team to respond and back him up, I guess that’s how you get to the places that we’ve been.”

Stamkos, Paul, Maroon and Perry scored in the second period, when the Lightning chased Colorado goalie Darcy Kuemper while pulling away.

Gabriel Landeskog had two goals and Mikko Rantanen and Cale Maker each had two assists for the Avalanche. Kuemper gave up five goals on 22 shots before he was replaced by Pavel Francouz, who finished with nine saves.

Game 4 is Wednesday night at Amalie Arena, where the Lightning have won a franchise-record eight straight playoff games and Colorado lost on the road for the first time this postseason.

“Right now I feel like we’re still in the driver’s seat up 2-1,” Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon said. “We’ve got to really show up for Game 4, regroup, be better and stay even-keeled.”

Two nights after being limited to just 16 shots in the seven-goal loss in Denver, the Lightning found a way to neutralize Colorado’s speed and solve Kuemper to avoid falling to the brink of elimination.

The defending champs became the first team since 1919 to win a Stanley Cup Final game after losing by seven-plus goals the previous game.

“We knew they were too proud to go away,” MacKinnon said. “It’s the Stanley Cup Final, we’re not expecting to sweep. They obviously didn’t hang their head on losing to us in Game 2, and we’re not going to tonight.”

The Avalanche lifted Kuemper after Maroon scored a soft goal that put the Lightning up 5-2 with 8:45 remaining in the second. Perry reached behind Francouz to tap in a rebound that came off the right post to make 6-2 with 5:02 left in the period.

The back-to-back champions overcame a 2-0 series deficit in the Eastern Conference final to eliminate the New York Rangers in six games. They’re looking to do it again against Colorado to complete their quest for the NHL’s first three-peat in nearly 40 years.

Cirelli and Palat scored in the opening period for the Lightning, who played with a lot more energy than in Games 1 and 2, when they appeared to be a step or two slower the speedy, high-scoring Avalanche.

The seven-goal loss in Game 2 raised the question of whether a team that’s played 68 postseason games — most by a single club over a span of three playoffs — since 2020 is running out of gas as it tries to become the first franchise to win at least three consecutive Stanley Cup titles since the New York Islanders won four in a row from 1980-83.

And while, Cooper discounts the toll playing so much playoff hockey has taken on his players, Colorado clearly looked like the fresher team in Games 1 and 2 after going 12-2 against Nashville, St. Louis and Edmonton in breezing through the first three rounds.

Spurred on by a sellout crowd of more than 19,000, and playing with a sense of urgency absent for much of the first two games, the Lightning scored twice in a span of 1:51 to wipe out a 1-0 lead the Avalanche took on the first of Landeskog’s two power-play goals.

Cirelli crossed in front of Kuemper to make it 1-1 at 13:03 of the opening period. Palat delivered his 10th goal of the playoffs off a pass from Stamkos to give Tampa Bay a lead for the first time in the series.

Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said Kuemper didn’t have a good night, but noted: “Neither did our team.”

“I felt like the goals we gave up, we didn’t make them earn them,” the coach added.

Vasilevskiy yielded a second power-play goal to Landeskog, who briefly trimmed a two-goal deficit to 3-2 before Tampa Bay pulled away for good.

The Lightning became the third team in NHL history score six goals in a Stanley Cup Final after yielding at least seven the previous game.