Lightning Round: Bolts will have another chance to win the Cup tonight

After losing to the Dallas Stars on Saturday night, the Tampa Bay Lightning will have another opportunity to clinch the Stanley Cup title tonight at 8:00 PM ET. The Lightning are currently 1-1 in Stanley Cup Finals during their existence. The only victory happened in 2004, in second overtime of historical game against the Calgary Flames, which fans of that team would probably like to forget. Meanwhile teams having a 3-2 advantage going to Game 6 have an all-time record of 33-8.

According to majority of analytical models, the Lightning are a clear favourite of upcoming game.

Meanwhile during the yesterday’s press conference Jon Cooper announced that Steven Stamkos is officially out of the Stanley Cup Final. “Hopefully the next time you see him on the ice is during a trophy presentation” Cooper finished his line about Stamkos. Justin remembered how rumours about the Lightning captain had been evolving recently [Raw Charge]

It is not the way anyone wanted his season to end. Until now there was still the hope, however, fading that he would be on the ice as time wound down on a Lightning victory. While he won’t be playing, you can bet that, should the Lightning pull off the victory, he will be on the ice the moment the horn sounds and be one of the first to lift the Cup over his head.

Coop also admitted that he likes how the team is responding after losses. The Lightning haven’t lost two consecutive games during this postseason yet.

Both Jon Cooper and Yanni Gourde later had some kind words about Mikhail Sergachev, who almost ended it in the third period of Game 5.

Matt shared his thoughts on Game 5 and why the Lightning lost [Raw Charge]

Overall at 5v5, despite the Lightning’s edge in possession, the Stars actually have the goals scored advantage at 12-10. Corey Perry and Joe Pavelski are leading the way with 3 goals each at even strength. Those goals aren’t beating Andrei Vasilevskiy cleanly, they’re coming off of deflections and rebounds. When Dallas scores at even strength, it’s because they are controlling the front of the net.

Another thing to note after Game 5 is Victor Hedman’s game. His performance is primarily connected with the Lightning’s success, which only proves his significant role for the team

Other News and Notes

Chris Stewart announced his retirement after 12 NHL season, during whose he played for seven different NHL teams

The Arizona Coyotes made another changes to their staff

Due to COVID-19 pandemic, draft eligible players are being scouted via video