Photo Credit: The Tampa Bay Lightning pose with the Stanley Cup after defeating the Montreal Canadiens 1-0 in Game 5 on Wednesday. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
For the first time since the Pittsburgh Penguins did it in 2017, the Tampa Bay Lightning have won consecutive Stanley Cups. The Lightning defeated the Montreal Canadiens 1-0 in game 5 to win the series 4-1. Moreover, the Lightning are becoming a true Dynasty. A team that is built the way a playoff team should be, with almost no flaws in their game. Lead by an unbelievable goaltender, superior defense,
leadership on both sides of the puck. There is a lot to talk about, and now with the NHL season coming to an end. It’s time to dissect two fascinating players who helped Tampa Bay win it again. Let’s get into it, Stanley Cup style.
A championship goalie
Winning a championship is an accomplishment, winning back to back championships is a dynasty. With a complete team as the Lightning have, its starts with their best defender- the goaltender. Tampa Bay goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy is the best goalie in the world, there is no question about that. He won the Conn
Smythe Trophy, which is awarded to the Most Valuable Player for the Stanley Cup playoffs.
“V” is the first goaltender since 2012 to win the award, last one being Jonathan Quick from the LA Kings. He was 16-7 in the playoffs, with five shutouts, a save percentage of .937%, and a 1.90 GAA in 23 starts. He had an unbelievable
playoff run, and Vasilevskiy shows no sign of letting up- he is a a supreme talent and
the best goalie possible of this era.
Pat Maroon does it again, and then again
Former sixth round draft pick Pat Maroon, taken in the 2007 NHL draft from the Philadelphia Flyers has done something not many have done before. He became the fourth NHL player to win back to back to back Stanley Cups. A player who has found his way on the right side of the pond more recently, contributing to the winning team for a few years now. It started back in 2019, when the St. Louis Blues battled their way to the Finals. Alongside former Head Coach and player Craig Berube, Maroon won his first Stanley Cup. He contributed seven points in the playoffs that year. The following year, he found his way to the sunny state of Tampa bay where he won yet another Stanley cup, then to only win a third this season. A remarkable story for the guy they call “Big Rig”. Can he do it again?
These are just two players who capped off of a remarkable run that ultimately led to back-to-back cups for the Tampa Bay Lightning. The year is over, the celebration has begun, and the book is now being written for the 2021 season.
Who will be next? Can the Lightning continue this great success and win yet again? The offseason officially begins now for the Flyers, but I would like to extend a huge congratulations to the Lightning on winning their second championship in as many years.
That’s my story and im sticking to it!
