Lightning Face Avalanche Wednesday In Game 1 Of Stanley Cup Playoffs

Tampa FL

15 June, 2022

3:43 PM

Description

TAMPA, FL — They've already proven that Lightning can strike twice. But can Lightning strike a third time? Lightning fever has gripped Tampa Bay as the two-time defending champions secured a berth in the Stanley Cup finals for the third straight year. After defeating the New York Rangers 2-1 Saturday night before an electrified crowd at the Amalie Arena, winning the NHL's Eastern Conference finals, the hockey team accepted the Prince of Wales trophy for the third year in a row. Now, the Lightning will head to Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, to face the Avalanche Wednesday at 8 p.m. in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals. Lightning center and team captain, Steven Stamkos, led the way to the Stanley Cup finals, scoring both goals of Saturday's game. Goal tender Andrei Vasilevskiy had 20 saves for the Lightning, which won the best of seven series 4-2. "It's probably not the greatest word to use, but I'm damn impressed by this group," coach Jon Cooper said."I'm just utterly impressed by what they do to win a hockey game. And the fact that they they have every excuse in the world to not win because nobody would fault them by saying, 'Hey, you won one, you won two,' and to come back and and go for a third. I'm impressed." This will be the first Stanley Cup showdown for the Lightning and Avalanche, which rank first and third, respectively, in regular-season wins over the past four seasons. The Lightning have 192 wins to the Avalanche's 175 wins. The Bolts will make history Wednesday night as the first team to play in three straight Stanley Cup finals since the Edmonton Oilers in 1983-85. Projected Lineup (subject to change) Forwards Ondrej Palat - Steven Stamkos - Nikita KucherovBrandon Hagel - Anthony Cirelli - Alex KillornRoss Colton - Nick Paul - Corey PerryPat Maroon - Pierre-Edouard Bellemare - Riley NashDefensemen Victor Hedman - Jan RuttaRyan McDonagh - Erik CernakMikhail Sergachev - Zach Bogosian Goaltenders Andrei VasilevskiyBrian ElliottHow To WatchFans throughout Tampa Bay are preparing for Game 1 with watch parties planned throughout the city including the team's official Bud Light watch party at Amalie Arena. Fans are invited to watch the Bolts play in Denver from the team's home arena. Arena doors will open an hour before the 8 p.m. puck drop. There will be live entertainment, appearances by Lightning masco ThunderBug and other Lightning representatives, giveaways and concession specials. Proceeds from the $10 ticket fee will go to the Lightning Foundation. Click here for tickets. Fans can also catch the action on the big screen at the events grounds at Sparkman Wharf, 615 Channelside Drive. The event is for those age 21 and up or younger if accompanied by a legal guardian. Sparkman Wharf's beer garden and container eateries will be open. Blankets are encouraged but lawn chairs, outside food and beverage along with coolers are prohibited. Sparkman Wharf will also host watch parties for both away and home games on June 18, 20, 22 as well as June 24, 26 and 28 if those games are needed. Click here. Sparkman WharfSparkman Wharf will host a Lightning watch party at 8 p.m. on the event lawn. The Press Box, 222 S. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, will be showing the game on its matrix wall and 40-plus screens with domestic drafts for $2.50 and $1 boneless wings. 222 S. Dale Mabry Hwy. McDivot's Sports Bar & Restaurant, 10706 Countryway Blvd., Tampa, will host a watch part with a complimentary Bud Light/Lite draft when the Lightning score. There will be $4 well drinks and a $4.99 burger or chicken sandwich with a beverage purchase. Buoy's Waterfront Bar and Grill, 678 75th Ave., St. Pete Beach, will host its first-ever watch party at 8 p.m. featuring a 30- by 15-foot floating screen. JT's Roadhouse, 13609 N Florida Ave., Tampa, will host a a watch party at 8 p.m. with $1 jello shots, $3 lemon drops, $3 blue lightning, $10 domestic buckets, $10 boneless wings with fries and a free 12-ounce Bud or Bud Light draft every time the Lightning score. American Social, 601 S. Harbour Island Blvd., Tampa, will begin the evening with happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. with discounted small plates, $5 house margaritas, $8 handcrafted cocktails and $5 house liquors, wines and select draft beers. Ducky's, 1719 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, will host a happy hour from 3 to 7 p.m. During intermission, fans can try out duck spin bowling. Hattricks Tavern, 107 S. Franklin St., Tampa, will host Lightning game drink specials including $1 off all pints and $3 Bud Light or Coors Light drafts. Bar Hwrd, 302 S. Howard Ave., will host a watch party with 50-cent wings and half off wells, calls, seltzers and select brews. MacDinton's Irish Pub, 405 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, will show the game on its giant LED TV with a pre-game party and after party featuring half off coctails and shots, $10 Lightning pitchers, BOGO Truly Seltzer and $5 Titos, Teeling, and Maestro Dobel. Commemorate the night by buying the Macs classic Lightning T-shirt. Maloney's Local Irish Pub, 9540 Linebaugh Ave. (Westchase), 12904 N. Dale Mabry Highway (Carrollwood) and 1120 E. Kennedy Blvd. (Downtown Tampa) will host watch parties with giant HDTVs, drink specials and patio seating. Park & Rec, 290 S. Meridan Ave., Tampa, features 60 TVs, four bars, giant lawn games and an indoor arcade. Watch party drink specials include $5 tallboys, $7 seltzers, $8 shots, wine and prosecco, and $12 party pouches. Or have your own watch party at home. The game will be broadcast on ABC Sports, on ESPN+, through the Fox Sports app and on Bally Sports Sun. The Road AheadGame 2: Lightning at Avalanche, Saturday, June 18Game 3: Lightning vs. Avalanche, Monday, June 20Game 4: Lightning vs. Avalanche, Wednesday, June 22Game 5: Lightning at Avalanche, Friday, June 24 (if necessary)Game 6: Lightning vs. Avalanche, Sunday, June 26 (if necessary)Game 7: Lightning at Avalanche, Tuesday, June 28 (if necessary) AP Photo/Chris O'MearaMembers of the Tampa Bay Lightning pose with the Prince of Wales trophy after defeating the New York Rangers Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Eastern Conference finals Saturday.The Prince Of Wales TrophyAlso known as the Wales Trophy, the Prince of Wales Trophy is a team award presented by the National Hockey League to the Eastern Conference champions. Named for Prince Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII and then Duke of Windsor) it was first presented during the 1925-26 NHL season. Since the 1967 NHL expansion, it has served as the counterpart to the Western Conference's Clarence S. Campbell Bowl. Prince of Wales Trophy Winners 2021: Tampa Bay Lightning2020: Tampa Bay Lightning2019: Boston Bruins2018: Washington Capitals2017: Pittsburgh Penguins2016: Pittsburgh Penguins2015: Tampa Bay Lightning2014: New York Rangers2013: Boston Bruins2012: New Jersey Devils2011: Boston Bruins2010: Philadelphia Flyers2009: Pittsburgh Penguins2008: Pittsburgh Penguins2007: Ottawa Senators2006: Carolina Hurricanes2004: Tampa Bay Lightning2003: New Jersey Devils2002: Carolina Hurricanes2001: New Jersey Devils2000: New Jersey Devils1999: Buffalo Sabres1998: Washington Capitals1997: Philadelphia Flyers1996: Florida Panthers1995: New Jersey Devils1994: New York Rangers1993: Montreal Canadiens1992: Pittsburgh Penguins1991: Pittsburgh Penguins1990: Boston Bruins1989: Montreal Canadiens1988: Boston Bruins1987: Philadelphia Flyers1986: Montreal Canadiens1985: Philadelphia Flyers1984: New York Islanders1983: New York Islanders1982: New York Islanders1981: Montreal Canadiens1980: Buffalo Sabres1979: Montreal Canadiens1978: Montreal Canadiens1977: Montreal Canadiens1976: Montreal Canadiens1975: Buffalo Sabres1974: Boston Bruins1973: Montreal Canadiens1972: Boston Bruins1971: Boston Bruins1970: Chicago Blackhawks1969: Montreal Canadiens1968: Montreal Canadiens1967: Chicago Blackhawks1966: Montreal Canadiens1965: Detroit Red Wings1964: Montreal Canadiens1963: Toronto Maple Leafs1962: Montreal Canadiens1961: Montreal Canadiens1960: Montreal Canadiens1959: Montreal Canadiens1958: Montreal Canadiens1957: Detroit Red Wings1956: Montreal Canadiens1955: Detroit Red Wings1954: Detroit Red Wings1953: Detroit Red Wings1952: Detroit Red Wings1951: Detroit Red Wings1950: Detroit Red Wings1949: Detroit Red Wings1948: Toronto Maple Leafs1947: Montreal Canadiens1946: Montreal Canadiens1945: Montreal Canadiens1944: Montreal Canadiens1943: Detroit Red Wings1942: New York Rangers1941: Boston Bruins1940: Boston Bruins1939: Boston Bruins1938: Boston Bruins1937: Detroit Red Wings1936: Detroit Red Wings1935: Boston Bruins1934: Detroit Red Wings1933: Boston Bruins1932: New York Rangers1931: Boston Bruins1930: Boston Bruins1929: Boston Bruins1928: Boston Bruins1927: Ottawa Senators1926: Montreal Maroons1925: Montreal Canadiens1924: Montreal Canadiens