Media by Associated Press – Colorado Avalanche goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35) sets up for a play during the third period of Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
The Tampa Bay Lightning know the odds are stacked against them in the Stanley Cup Finals. Only the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs have ever dug themselves out of a 3-1 deficit to lift the trophy. But the Lightning are carrying the burden of having won consecutive championships.
Tampa Bay is also tasked with the burden of trying to be the first team to win three straight championships in 40 years. The Lightning have quite the hole to dig out of against a Colorado Avalanche team that is hungry and is loaded with quality scoring options.
Here’s a look at what to keep an eye on when Colorado and Tampa Bay play at 8 p.m. Friday night in Denver.
Avalanche of offense
Colorado has shown its scoring prowess from the outset of the series. The Avalanche scored three goals apiece in Games 1 and 2 at home. Colorado, for the most part, has been able to do so by applying a relentless approach on offense. The Avalanche’s pressure was readily apparent during overtime of Game 4.
Colorado outshot Tampa Bay 11-3 before Nazem Kadri scored the game-winner. Despite the Avalanche’s pressing attacking, Game 4 was the first time in the series that Colorado didn’t record more shots than Tampa Bay.
Take one or two for the team
Helping Andrei Vasilevsky take less punishment has required Tampa Bay’s players to take on more themselves. Vasilvesky did his part by finishing with a .919 save percentage and stopped 34 shots last time out. In Game 4, Tampa Bay blocked 34 shots to try and take the pressure off.
The Lightning, however, weren’t quite as physical. They were outhit by Colorado 41-29.
Closing it out
The run through the playoffs has been a dominant one for the Avalanche. Colorado swept its series in the first round and conference finals. The Avalanche only lost a game where it had a chance to close out its foes in the postseason.
Colorado lost Game 5 to St. Louis in the second round. The Avalanche also were forced to sweat in Game 6, but Colorado scored in the final 10 seconds to steal a win.
Welcome back Kadri
Kadri hadn’t played since the Western Conference finals and would end up scoring one of the more bizarre game-winners in NHL history. After suffering a thumb injury after being boarded by Evander Kane in the conference finals, Kadri missed four games. In Game 4, Kadri would put a shot under Vasilevsky’s arm that would nestle in the top of the net.
However, with how the puck deflected up, Vasilvesky and Kadri weren’t sure where the puck when at first. It was only players following the play that were able to see the puck was stuck in the top of the net and set off Colorado’s celebration.
Record-setting crew
Mikko Rantanen and Cale Makar both picked up assists in Game 4 and reached 20 during this postseason run. That is the most in Colorado’s franchise history.
The previous record was set when the franchise was still in Quebec. Peter Statsny had 19 for the Nordiques in 1985.
Prediction
Colorado seems destined to hoist its first Stanley Cup since 2001. The Avalanche are -182 favorites and have been dominant throughout the playoffs. Colorado should win this one, but don’t expect Tampa Bay to go out easily.