The 2022 Stanley Cup Final between the Colorado Avalanche and Tampa Bay Lightning got off to a rollicking start, with Colorado jumping out to a 3-1 lead in the first period, Tampa Bay tying it in the second, and the Avalanche prevailing 4-3 in overtime.
What did we learn in Game 1 and how will it impact the rest of the series? We asked hockey reporters Kristen Shilton and Greg Wyshynski for their biggest takeaways from the Avs’ opening-game victory.
More: Cup Final schedule
Burning questions for the series
Everything as advertised
If Game 1 is any indication, this Stanley Cup Final could be one for the books.
Colorado dominated the first period. Tampa Bay took over in the second. By the third, the teams were knotted 3-3, and it seemed only fitting for the game to reach overtime.
When Andre Burakovsky scored a great goal for Colorado, it was almost disappointing to see the evening end. The back-and-forth could have gone on forever.
Andrei Vasilevskiy wasn’t at his best to start for Tampa Bay, giving up three goals on 15 shots in the first period, but he bounced back to play like the Vezina Trophy winner the Lightning have relied on in their championship run. Count on him to have a more complete performance in Game 2.
Colorado’s resilience continued to shine through. The Avalanche haven’t become rattled by any ups and downs in the playoffs, and Wednesday night was no exception. Blowing a two-goal lead to the two-time Cup champs might have gotten into a lesser team’s head. Not Colorado. Its entire success in these playoffs has been about staying true to themselves. There was no panic. The Avalanche’s depth came through again.
What’s to come on Saturday when these two face off again? More of the same, please. A lot more. — Kristen Shilton
Lightning have been here before
Losing a Game 1 isn’t exactly a faith-shattering development for the Lightning. On the contrary, it’s downright commonplace in their journey toward a three-peat.
In 11 playoff series since 2020, the Lightning…
Click Here to Watch the Video from www.espn.com – NHL…