When the Stanley Cup Final between the Lightning and Avalanche (-105) started, we expected a back-and-forth barnburner. The NHL’s Next Big Thing (Colorado) and the two-time defending champs (Tampa Bay). An actual matchup between titans of hockey.
With a mystifying 3-2 overtime win for the Avalanche and now a 3-1 series lead — even despite a strong Lightning start — this series shifts back to Denver with a different expectation:
An outright Colorado victory in a quick and largely painless five games.
As the Avs close in on their first Stanley Cup in over two decades, the NHL (and voters) may soon reveal who they feel is most responsible for the championship win. That player will be rewarded Conn Smythe for playoff MVP, and I feel great about who it will be in the end.
The Lightning aren’t out of it until they’ve lost four times, but at this stage: it’s only fair to think about. Here are the Conn Smythe rankings after Game 4 of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final.