Stanley Cup Final 2022 | Streaming Guide & Bracket
21 years have passed since the Colorado Avalanche were playing in the Stanley Cup final last time but after a superb run throughout the regular season and an excellent performance in the playoffs, they are back where they want to be. The Avalanche have always looked upon themselves as one of the heavyweights in the league, sometimes lacking the sporting achievements to back up such self-image. This season, however, has given the Avalanche every right to once again believe and they’re now only one step away from long-awaited glory.
It will be the first ever Stanley Cup final between the Avalanche and Lightning, though the latter can’t be said to be lacking playoff experience having won the last two Stanley Cup final. The Lightning might be having an advantage when it comes to playoff experience but do not forget how ruthless and dominant the Avalanche have been throughout the whole season. With a record of 12-2 so far in the playoffs it’s obvious that the Avalanche, led by coach Jared Bednar, have set up a real chase for the franchise's third Cup trophy.
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Stanley Cup Playoffs 2022
First Round
Florida vs Washington (4-2)
Toronto vs Tampa Bay (3-4)
Carolina vs Boston (4-3)
NY Rangers vs Pittsburgh (4-3)
Colorado vs Nashville (4-0)
Minnesota vs St. Louis (2-4)
Calgary vs Dallas (4-3)
Edmonton vs Los Angeles (4-3)
Second Round
Florida vs Tampa Bay (0-4)
Carolina vs NY Rangers (3-4)
Colorado vs St. Louis (4-2)
Calgary vs Edmonton (1-4)
Conference Finals
Tampa Bay vs NY Rangers (4-2)
Colorado vs Edmonton (4-0)
Stanley Cup Final Predictions
The Avalanche enter the Cup final as major favorites to lift the trophy and even though the Tampa Bay Lightning are two-time defending champions they’re expected to face an immense challenge. Whether or not you look at the Avanlanche’s extra days of rest as an advantage is key when choosing side in this series. The Lightning have shown during the playoffs that they have absolutely no problem playing a thick game schedule, even though you might want to consider that the longer into the playoffs you are, the more the past games will affect the team’s energy level.
The Lightning’s chances of accomplishing an upset against the Avalanche depends on whether or not they can uphold the deep and solid defense which has taken them this far. Andrei Vasilevsky who’s been superb in goal is another key factor who the Lightning relies on heavily. The Avalanche have to go with everything they got in order to stop the Lightning from winning their third consecutive Stanley Cup.
In the end we believe the Avalanche have shown enough this season to be legitimate favorites. With some extra days of rest since their last game and a total of 14 playoff games vs 17 for Tampa, we expect the Avalanche to be able to exploit a tiresome opposing team and win the Cup final with -1.5 spread.
Our Picks
- Series Spread: Colorado Avalanche -1.5 (+110)
- Series Tot Goals: Under 32.5 (-110)