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Tampa Bay Lightning were blown up by Colorado Avelanche on the road in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final on Saturday, and veteran Stephen Stamkos had a message for his team after the defeat.
Stamkos told his Lightning teammates to stand up after the 7-0 strike and get their heads back in the series.
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Tampa Bay Lightning center Stephen Stamkos (91) clashes with Colorado Avalanche defender Devon Tows (7) during the first period of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup NHL Hockey Cup Final, Saturday, June 18, 2022, at Denver. (AP Photo / David Zalubowski)
“It was completely unacceptable, especially at this time of year,” Stamkos said of the loss through The Athletic. “Listen, people are going to watch this game tonight and they probably think the show is over. But our group, we are a very stable group.
“So whether it’s one-nothing, seven-nothing or 10-nothing, it’s a loss in the playoffs and you have to move on. We need to build ourselves as a team and as a person. Let’s go home to our fans and see what we’re made of. “
Lightning has been in dog fights throughout the postseason.
Avalanche UNDERSTANDS 7-0 LIGHTNING TO LEAD 2-0 IN THE CUP FINAL
Colorado Avalanche defender Jack Johnson (3) controls the puck while Tampa Bay Lightning center Ross Colton (79) defends during the third period of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup NHL Hockey Cup Final, Saturday, June 18, 2022. ., in Denver. (AP Photo / John Locher)
Tampa Bay battled the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round, defeated the Florida Panthers Cup winners in the second round and returned from a 0-2 deficit to beat the New York Rangers in the conference finals. Not only that, Lightning have played 67 games since the season of August 1, 2020 – the most of a team in three playoffs.
Former NHL star Justin Williams said it was something that could weigh on Tampa Bay players.
“You’ve played a lot of games, and the playoff games are obviously a little more physical, a little more everything while you’re playing them,” said Williams, who will become an analyst at NHL Network starting with Game 3. These guys are fading now. Listen, they’ve played a lot of hockey, but once you get that far in the playoffs, you’re working mostly on adrenaline.
“You feel pretty good, and an apology for playing too much hockey is what I’m sure they’re not ready to use right now.”
Tampa Bay Lightning center Stephen Stamkos (91) controlled the puck during the first period of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup NHL Hockey Cup final against Colorado Avelanche on Saturday, June 18, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo / John Locher)
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Game 3 is scheduled for Monday night at 8 p.m. ET in Tampa, Florida.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Ryan Gaidos is the sports editor of Fox News and Fox Business. Story tips can be sent to Ryan.Gaydos@fox.com.
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