The Tampa Bay Lightning fought hard but couldn’t keep their dream of a three-peat alive. The Colorado Avalanche were the better team on Sunday night, claiming a 2-1 comeback win in Game 6 to capture the franchise’s first Stanley Cup trophy since 2001.
The Avalanche had the chance to take care of the job in Game 5 at home, but the Bolts showed resilience and managed to prolong the series. It appeared the same scenario was about to take place in Game 6 after Tampa Bay’s Steven Stamkos scored less than four minutes into the first period.
After the initial shock, Colorado patiently waited for the opening, and one came early in the second. Bowen Byram and Gabriel Landeskog combined to assist Nathan MacKinnon, who managed to send the puck into the net despite shooting from an awkward angle.
MacKinnon was also in the mix 10 minutes after when he and Josh Manson assisted Artturi Lehkonen for a 2-1 lead.
“It’s hard to describe, honestly,” MacKinnon said after the game. “We came from last place together, me, Landy, Mikko, EJ, so it’s unbelievable. I’m forever grateful to go through it with these warriors.”
Despite not being on the scoreboard in Game 6, defenseman Cale Makar ended up nabbing the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Stanley Cup Finals MVP. Makar had eight goals and 21 assists for a total of 29 points this postseason.
“There’s nothing better than this,” Makar said after being presented with the trophy. “You dream of this. It feels so surreal. It feels like a video game right now.”
