And Then There Were 2: Three-peat Or A New Champ?

 

You knew it would happen, the Tampa Bay lightning would find a way back to the finals. The Lightning are only four wins away from winning their third straight Stanley Cup, a feat that hasn't happened since the New York Islanders won four straight cups from 1980-83. This time they'll have their hands full against the favoured, the Colorado Avalanche. The Avs have been rested for over a week after sweeping the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference final. the Lightning took the slightly longer path to the finals by dropping their first two games against the New York Rangers before storming back to win four straight to take the series in six games. 

 There are many intriguing questions and match-ups to look for in the final. 

• How healthy is goalie, Darcy Kuemper? If he does play, how rusty will he be, since he hasn't played in few weeks and we know Tampa has the best goalie in the league and he has continued to be the best so far in the playoffs. 
• Will the Lightning's Brayden Point dress for game 1? He hasn't played since the Leafs series and if he is back in form, this could truly give the Lightning the edge.
  
• How about the match-up of Kucherov vs MacKinnon? Two of the best forwards in the league, not named McDavid or Draisaitl. Don't forget Stamkos and Landeskog! Is there a chance Nazem Kadri could play after hand surgery?
• Hedman vs Makar? Two best defensemen in the league? Makar has been amazing this season during the regular season and playoffs and Hedman does his best work in the playoffs.

This has the potential to be a good finals, as the Lightning will face a much tougher opponent than the last two years in the finals, the Montreal Canadians (in 5 games) and the Dallas Stars (in 6). Despite popular opinion, I wouldn't bet against the reining Stanley Cup champs. They've been the underdogs throughout this year's playoffs and I think they'll find a way to win it for the third time in three years. Plus, Corey Perry signed here to win a cup after being a finalist the last two years. Corey's due...ugh!!

Lighting in 6 games

 

Tampa Bay (A3) vs. Colorado (C1)
Wednesday, June 15: Lightning at Avalanche, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN+, ABC, SN, CBC, TVA Sports
Saturday, June 18: Lightning at Avalanche, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN+, ABC, SN, CBC, TVA Sports
Monday, June 20: Avalanche at Lightning, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN+, ABC, SN, CBC, TVA Sports
Wednesday, June 22: Avalanche at Lightning, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN+, ABC, SN, CBC, TVA Sports
*Friday, June 24: Lightning at Avalanche, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN+, ABC, SN, CBC, TVA Sports
*Sunday, June 26: Avalanche at Lightning, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN+, ABC, SN, CBC, TVA Sports
*Tuesday, June 28: Lightning at Avalanche, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN+, ABC, SN, CBC, TVA Sports