Tampa Bay Lightning’s three-peat offer is alive and well.
With Stephen Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov, Viktor Hedman and Andrei Vassilevski at the helm, the two-star, two-time defending champions defeated Colorado Avelanche 6-2 Monday night in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final.
The victory, two nights after suffering the most unexpected loss in the team’s playoffs, reduced Tampa Bay’s series deficit to 2-1 and gave hope to the team’s quest to become the first franchise in nearly 40 years to win three consecutive titles in NHL.
“There is a reason to be here and there is a reason to win tonight. There’s a reason this has been going on for the last few years, “said Lightning coach John Cooper.
“The guys you have to lead did that, and then everyone got in line,” Cooper added. “You’ve seen Stammer’s growth and Hedman’s growth over the years, and it’s probably no coincidence that our victory followed.”
Stamkos, Pat Maroon and Ondrej Palat had goals and assists, and Lightning scored four times in the second period to come back after an embarrassing 7-0 loss in Game 2 of the best of seven games.
Anthony Sirelli, Nicholas Paul and Corey Perry also scored to help Tampa Bay return after playing poorly until losing the first two games on the road. Kucherov and Hedman had two assists, and Vassilevski stopped 37 shots.
“I don’t know why we started the show the way we did. … But no matter how you cut it, it’s 2-1 now, “said Stamkos.
“A lot of us are also our goalkeepers,” Cooper added. “To go through what he went through two nights ago and then introduce himself as he did tonight… not only that, but to get them to score first and then the team to respond and support him, I guess that this way you will get to the places we have been. ”
Stamkos, Paul, Maroon and Perry scored in the second period when Lightning chased Colorado goalkeeper Darcy Kumper in retreat.
Gabriel Landeskog scored two goals and Miko Rantanen and Cale Maker had two assists for Avalanche. Kumper conceded five goals in 22 shots before being replaced by Pavel Frankuz, who finished with nine saves.
Match 4 is Wednesday night at the Amalie Arena, where Lightning won the franchise’s record-breaking eight playoff games and Colorado lost on the road for the first time this postseason.
“Right now, I feel like we’re still 2-1,” said Avalanche star Nathan McKinnon. “We really have to show up for Game 4, regroup, be better and stay equal.”
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