Stanley Cup Final Preview June 18, 2022

LIGHTNING LOOK TO BUILD ON STANLEY CUP PEDIGREE

Tampa Bay has lost Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final three times before 2022 and responded with a Game 2 victory to pull even in each of those series (2004, 2015 & 2020). They are seeking their 15th all-time win in the Final and currently sit tied for the second-most wins in the championship series over the past 25 years.

• Victor Hedman and Nikita Kucherov were key contributors in Game 2 of the Final in both 2020 and 2015 as Tampa Bay tied each series. Kucherov (1-3—4) and Hedman (0-4—4) notched two points apiece in each of those contests, with Hedman receiving the primary helper on the go-ahead, game-winning goal in 2015.
• Hedman has registered 2-12—14 in 18 career games (0.78 P/GP) in the Stanley Cup Final, the ninth-highest points per game by a defenseman in the NHL’s championship series (min. 15 GP). Bobby Orr paces the group with 8-12—20 in 16 contests (1.25 P/GP).

QUEST FOR THE STANLEY CUP CONTINUES

The latest episode of ‘Quest for the Stanley Cup’ is now available on ESPN+ in the United States as well as YouTube/NHL in Canada and showcases how the Lightning were able to exert their will on the Rangers with several of Jon Cooper’s motivational dressing room speeches.