In N.H.L. Finals, Avalanche Go From Chaser to Front-Runner

The Lightning, with the second-oldest average age of any team in the N.H.L., have relied on their experience to outplay opponents the last couple of years, but accruing all that experience may have taken a toll.

Going deep into the postseason two years in a row, Tampa Bay has played more games than any other team in that span, and any possible fatigue may have been exacerbated by the altitude during Games 1 and 2. Denver sits at roughly a mile above sea level, which may have affected the Lightning’s performances. If so, a return to sea level for Games 3 and 4 could help.

They need it. After Game 1, which went to overtime, the Lightning spoke of getting a better understanding of how the Avalanche play. But it was Colorado that enhanced its advantage with a new set of achievements.

It became the second team in more than 100 years to register a shutout in the Stanley Cup finals with a margin of more than seven goals, after the 1991 Pittsburgh Penguins, who beat the Minnesota North Stars, 8-0, in the clinching Game 6 that year.

Colorado also became the third team to score seven goals four times in one postseason, joining the Edmonton Oilers, who did it six times in 1984 and five times in 1985, in an era when goals were scored at a higher rate than in today’s game.

And with Makar scoring twice in Game 2, the Avalanche’s blue liners have 17 goals (seven by Makar) and 61 points in these playoffs, a record for Colorado defensemen. Makar sniped a short-handed goal and added another on a power play, making him the second N.H.L. defenseman to score on both sides of a man advantage in a Stanley Cup finals game. Glen Wesley of the Boston Bruins did it in 1988 against Edmonton.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/20/sports/hockey/avalanche-lightning-stanley-cup.html