After years of playoff disappointment, the Colorado Avalanche reclaimed the Stanley Cup, crushing the hopes of the Tampa Bay Lightning’s three-peat. The Avalanche defeated the defending champions 2-1 in Game 6 at Amalie Arena on Sunday night, thanks to goals from Nathan MacKinnon and winger Artturi Lehkonen
Avalanche’s journey was not without challenges. Colorado coach Jared Bednar was frustrated by his team’s previous 3-2 home loss to the Lightning in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final. The Avalanche are 12-2 in the playoffs, including first-round wins over Nashville and the Western Conference finals against the Edmonton Oilers.
The excitement for the final battle has increased over the years.
“It’s just been building over time. … It was just all leading up to this,” said Cale Makar, the Avs’ playoff MVP and awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy ahead of the Cup ceremony.
Tampa Bay, a two-time, defending champion, clearly wanted to win a third straight title in front of their own fans but were defeated 4-2 in the best-of-seven series. Avs goalie Darcy Kuemper made 22 saves, and MacKinnon had a shot on goal. Colorado trailed Tampa Bay until 7:32 and remained in the second period when Lehkonen scored.
The Lightning attempted to rebalance by pulling goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy in the final seconds for an extra attacker, but the Avalanche won the Stanley Cup. As the final second ticked off the clock, Colorado players began their celebration by throwing their sticks to the ice and flinging their protective gear into the air.
Makar wins Conn Smythe Trophy
Makar receives the Conn Smythe Trophy this season after a successful campaign this season. Makar was voted the winner by a panel of Professional Hockey Writers Association members as he recorded eight goals and 21 assists in the playoffs.
He led all defensemen with 29 points (8-21—29) in 20 games during the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs, while also leading the Avs in points and ranking third overall in Stanley Cup Playoffs scoring points.
Makar is also the first player in history to succeed in all five Hobey Baker Awards, as well as the Calder Memorial Trophy for Rookie of the Year, the James Norris Memorial Trophy for the top defenseman in the NHL, the Conn Smythe Trophy, and a Stanley Cup.
He conceded that his success was due to the great assistance of his teammates.
“I just look at [my teammates], and all the work these guys have put in,” Makar said. “They’ve been here so many years, the ups and downs.
Winning Stanley Cup was also a childhood dream that came true.
“You grow up, you see [the Stanley Cup trophy] as a kid, you have pictures of it on your wall. He said proudly, “All I think about is everyone that got me here – my family is in the stands, so it’s amazing, wherever they are. It’s just surreal, amazing.”
Makar became the third defenseman in history, after Bobby Orr of the 1970 Bruins and Serge Savard of the 1969 Canadiens, to win the Conn Smythe Trophy at the age of 23. Orr was 22 years old, and Savard was 23.