2020 Stanley Cup/Quarantine COVID Cup is officially in the record books
The Tampa Bay Lightning are the last team standing after what proved to be one of the most challenging roads to Stanley Cup victory.
Along the way, the bolts faced the Columbus Blue Jackets, who eliminated Tampa in four straight games last year, after winning the President’s Trophy with 62 wins. Next up was the Boston Bruins, who many favored to win it all; they went down in five games. The New York Islanders, who worked hard and refused to quit, they succumbed in six games, and the Dallas Stars who took game one putting the Bolts behind in a series for only the second time in these playoffs, but the Lightning would not be denied coming back to win four of the next five games and securing their first championship in sixteen years.
This year’s cup win was incredibly gratifying as Tampa Bay has been flirting with NHL greatness for several years but always just barely missing the mark. Since the Lightning won their first cup in 2004 against the Calgary Flames, they have been on the cusp of championships; in 2011, losing in the Conference Finals, in 2015, losing to the Chicago Blackhawks in six games in the Stanley Cup Final, and again in 2016 and 2018 losing in the Conference Finals.
This year Tampa Bay Lightning was a team on a mission. Some of the critical components that lead this team to the holy grail was learning from the mistakes of the past. Like many champions before them, once you come close, you know better what it takes to win, and you must make the necessary sacrifices. The Oilers losing to the Islanders in 1983 Final better prepared them for the rematch in 1984, Red Wings losing to the New Jersey Devils in the 1995 Finals and the Islanders losing to the New York Rangers in the 1979 semi-finals as well as to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1978 Quarterfinals.
What the Lightning did to get over the playoff hump was to inject some new blood into the lineup. Free-agent Patrick Maroon was a key ingredient fresh off a championship with last year’s St. Louis Blues. Kevin Shattenkirk had something to prove after being bought out from the New York Rangers and looking to rejuvenate his career. General Manager Julien Brisebois sent first-round picks to the Devils and Sharks in return for forwards Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow; at the time, the trade was seen as questionable, but in the playoffs, it paid huge dividends as when these players paired with Yanni Gourde they formed arguably the best checking line in this year’s playoffs. Let’s not forget the absence of superstar Steven Stamkos who made one appearance and scoring on his only shot on goal. To be a champion, you need the right mix of players. It can’t be won on star power alone. You’re best players must be you’re best players, the scorers must score, the grinders must grind, everybody must commit to checking/shot-blocking, and you must be willing to take a hit to make a play, and your goalie has to be the best player on the ice at all times.
Congratulations to the Tampa Bay Lightning on winning the 2020 Stanley Cup and their second-ever championship in franchise history. Hat’s off to Victor. Hedman on winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. The 29-year-old Hedman led all defensemen with ten goals and 22 points in 25 games. Only Paul Coffey (12) and Brian Leetch (11) have ever scored more than Hedman in a playoff season.
Hedman is now the 10th different defenseman to win the Conn Smythe Trophy. The others are Duncan Keith (Chi), Scott Niedermayer (NJD), Nicklas Lidstrom (DET), Scott Stevens (NJD), Brian Leetch (NYR), Al MacInnis (CAL), Larry Robinson (MTL), Bobby Orr (BOS), and Serge Savard (MTL).
He now joins former Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brad Richards as the only other player in franchise history to win the Conn Smythe Trophy.
Hedman narrowly beat fellow team-mate Braydon Point 70 points to 66 points for the Conn Smythe.
The Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded to the NHL postseason MVP and voted on by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
Larry Kwong (First Player To Break The NHL Color Barrier) (tedtalkshockey.com)
