Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, NHL successfully wrapped its 2019/20 season. And it was Tampa Bay Lightning who emerged as the team that managed the unusual situation the best, as the captured the elusive Stanley Cup on Monday night.

Lightning secured the trophy with a 2-0 win over Dallas Stars in Game 6, with Brayden Point and Blake Coleman getting on the scoreboard in the first and second periods respectively.  This was Tampa Bay’s second championship in franchise history and first since 2004.

Besides Stanley Cup, Lightning’s defenseman Victor Hedman ended up lifting the Conn Smythe Trophy as well, being crowned the playoff MVP.

“It takes a lot to be in a bubble for 80 days or whatever long it was,” said Hedman after the game. “But it’s all worth it now. We’re coming home with the Cup.”

While Hedman carried the load for Tampa Bay on the defensive end, Brayden Point was the man in charge of the offense. Point finished the postseason with playoffs-high 14 goals, while also adding 19 assists.

“The beauty of our team is everyone was chipping in,” said Point. “We got tremendous depth. We got contributions from anyone and everyone at different times, and that’s what makes this win so special.”

Tampa Bay Lightning demonstrated a dominant performance throughout the postseason, losing just one game in each of their first two rounds. They had to push to six games in Conference Finals against New York Islanders but were dominant in that series as well.

Lighting’s win gets more impressive when you realize that the team played almost the entire playoffs without their captain and one of the key players in Steven Stamkos.

“These last six weeks have been really emotional for my family and I, not only on the ice but off the ice,” said Stamkos. “I just want to say to my family: I love you guys so much. To all the friends and everyone who supported us along the way: We love you. We can’t wait to celebrate with you.”

The post Lightning Beats Stars 2-0 in Game 6 to Capture Stanley Cup appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Vegas Golden Knights are the first team to advance to the second round of Stanley Cup playoffs. Golden Knights clinched their spot after a 4-3 comeback win against the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday in Game 5 of the series.

Entering the game on the brink of elimination, Blackhawks put up a good fight and got an early two-goal lead in the first period thanks to Jonathan Toews and Alex DeBrincat. However, Vegas managed to get back into the game by scoring in the final minute of the first and opening minute of the second period.

Chicago didn’t give up and got to a lead once again with Patrick Kane’s goal, who scored 04:02 into the second third. Golden Knights rallied once again and erased the deficit before the end of the period via Alec Martinez.

Vegas showed better composure in the third, getting ahead early on with score from Alex Tuch and keeping the advantage for the rest of the game.

”We were glad to get it over with tonight because they weren’t going away quietly,” said Vegas’ head coach Peter DeBoer. ”They made us earn it. It was a hard, fought hockey game. We got in that hole early, and I just like how we’ve responded to adversity when it’s appeared during this playoff.”

Vegas Golden Knights will play the lowest-seeded team in the second round.

The post Golden Knights First Team to Advance to Second Round of Stanley Cup Playoffs appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The resume of the NHL season might see more teams getting in the Stanley Cup race than ever before. The National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) announced on Monday that they have voted in favor of having 24-team playoffs as part of the efforts to finish out 2019/20.

According to the plan, the season would resume immediately with the playoffs, which would see 24 teams taking part. The top four seeded teams from each conference would get the boot in the first round, while teams currently seeded from 5th to 12th position would meet in the five-game series. The winners of the first round would then play the top-seeded teams in a standard Stanley Cup playoff format of 16 teams.

“The Executive Board of the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) has authorized further negotiations with the NHL on a 24-team return to play format to determine the winner of the 2020 Stanley Cup,” an NHLPA statement reads. “Several details remain to be negotiated, and an agreement on the format would still be subject to the parties reaching agreement on all issues relevant to resuming play.”

This format, however, is still yet to be put in front of the league for voting. NHL is reportedly in favor of the proposal, as it would include the teams that have realistic chances of getting to the postseason but wouldn’t make it 2019/20 season would resume with traditional 16-team playoffs.

NHL is currently discussing several options for season resume, but the most likely outcome seems to be a centralized approach. According to sources, the league would choose two cities in which it would gather teams and play out all the games. Reportedly, nine cities are being considered, with Las Vegas being the overwhelming favorite.

The post NHLPA Gives a Green Light for 24-Team Playoffs to Resume the 2019/20 Season appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, NHL successfully wrapped its 2019/20 season. And it was Tampa Bay Lightning who emerged as the team that managed the unusual situation the best, as the captured the elusive Stanley Cup on Monday night.

Lightning secured the trophy with a 2-0 win over Dallas Stars in Game 6, with Brayden Point and Blake Coleman getting on the scoreboard in the first and second periods respectively.  This was Tampa Bay’s second championship in franchise history and first since 2004.

Besides Stanley Cup, Lightning’s defenseman Victor Hedman ended up lifting the Conn Smythe Trophy as well, being crowned the playoff MVP.

“It takes a lot to be in a bubble for 80 days or whatever long it was,” said Hedman after the game. “But it’s all worth it now. We’re coming home with the Cup.”

While Hedman carried the load for Tampa Bay on the defensive end, Brayden Point was the man in charge of the offense. Point finished the postseason with playoffs-high 14 goals, while also adding 19 assists.

“The beauty of our team is everyone was chipping in,” said Point. “We got tremendous depth. We got contributions from anyone and everyone at different times, and that’s what makes this win so special.”

Tampa Bay Lightning demonstrated a dominant performance throughout the postseason, losing just one game in each of their first two rounds. They had to push to six games in Conference Finals against New York Islanders but were dominant in that series as well.

Lighting’s win gets more impressive when you realize that the team played almost the entire playoffs without their captain and one of the key players in Steven Stamkos.

“These last six weeks have been really emotional for my family and I, not only on the ice but off the ice,” said Stamkos. “I just want to say to my family: I love you guys so much. To all the friends and everyone who supported us along the way: We love you. We can’t wait to celebrate with you.”

The post Lightning Beats Stars 2-0 in Game 6 to Capture Stanley Cup appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Vegas Golden Knights are the first team to advance to the second round of Stanley Cup playoffs. Golden Knights clinched their spot after a 4-3 comeback win against the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday in Game 5 of the series.

Entering the game on the brink of elimination, Blackhawks put up a good fight and got an early two-goal lead in the first period thanks to Jonathan Toews and Alex DeBrincat. However, Vegas managed to get back into the game by scoring in the final minute of the first and opening minute of the second period.

Chicago didn’t give up and got to a lead once again with Patrick Kane’s goal, who scored 04:02 into the second third. Golden Knights rallied once again and erased the deficit before the end of the period via Alec Martinez.

Vegas showed better composure in the third, getting ahead early on with score from Alex Tuch and keeping the advantage for the rest of the game.

”We were glad to get it over with tonight because they weren’t going away quietly,” said Vegas’ head coach Peter DeBoer. ”They made us earn it. It was a hard, fought hockey game. We got in that hole early, and I just like how we’ve responded to adversity when it’s appeared during this playoff.”

Vegas Golden Knights will play the lowest-seeded team in the second round.

The post Golden Knights First Team to Advance to Second Round of Stanley Cup Playoffs appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The resume of the NHL season might see more teams getting in the Stanley Cup race than ever before. The National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) announced on Monday that they have voted in favor of having 24-team playoffs as part of the efforts to finish out 2019/20.

According to the plan, the season would resume immediately with the playoffs, which would see 24 teams taking part. The top four seeded teams from each conference would get the boot in the first round, while teams currently seeded from 5th to 12th position would meet in the five-game series. The winners of the first round would then play the top-seeded teams in a standard Stanley Cup playoff format of 16 teams.

“The Executive Board of the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) has authorized further negotiations with the NHL on a 24-team return to play format to determine the winner of the 2020 Stanley Cup,” an NHLPA statement reads. “Several details remain to be negotiated, and an agreement on the format would still be subject to the parties reaching agreement on all issues relevant to resuming play.”

This format, however, is still yet to be put in front of the league for voting. NHL is reportedly in favor of the proposal, as it would include the teams that have realistic chances of getting to the postseason but wouldn’t make it 2019/20 season would resume with traditional 16-team playoffs.

NHL is currently discussing several options for season resume, but the most likely outcome seems to be a centralized approach. According to sources, the league would choose two cities in which it would gather teams and play out all the games. Reportedly, nine cities are being considered, with Las Vegas being the overwhelming favorite.

The post NHLPA Gives a Green Light for 24-Team Playoffs to Resume the 2019/20 Season appeared first on SportzBonanza.