Tampa Bay, Fla. (WGR 550) - After two years of the Stanley Cup residing along the Gulf of Mexico coastline in Florida, it now makes its return to the "Mile High City" for the first time in 21 years.
The Colorado Avalanche took down the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday night at Amalie Arena, 2-1, in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final to win the franchise's third Stanley Cup title, and their first since 2001.
After giving up the game's first goal on Sunday, the Avalanche rebounded in the second period with goals from Nathan MacKinnon and Artturi Lehkonen to take the lead heading into the final 20 minutes of Game 6.
From there, Colorado shut down any threat the Lightning threw its way, limiting the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions to four shots on goal. Tampa Bay was held without a shot on goal for more than 10 minutes to start the third period.
Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the NHL's Most Valuable Player of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Makar is the first unanimous winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy, earning all 18 first place votes for the award. After winning the Norris Trophy as the NHL's best defenseman in the regular season, Makar earns the Conn Smythe Trophy and the Stanley Cup with an eight-goal and 29-point playoff performance.
Colorado never trailed at any point in a series during the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Avalanche managed to sweep two of the four teams they played this year - Nashville Predators and Edmonton Oilers - and went 16-4 en route to another title.
With the 2021-22 season now officially in the books, up next up on the NHL docket is the 2022 NHL Draft, starting with Round 1 of the draft on Thursday, July 7. Rounds 2-7 will take place on Friday, July 8.
The Buffalo Sabres will have an active first round of the draft with three selections in the top-32 picks of Round 1: ninth, 16th and 28th overall. Overall, the Sabres will pick 11 times over the course of the 2022 NHL Draft.
