Sports
Lightning Face Avalanche Wednesday In Game 1 Of Stanley Cup Playoffs
It's the beginning of the end as the Lightning face the Colorado Avalanche in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals. Here's how to watch the game
TAMPA, FL — They've already proven that Lightning can strike twice.
But can Lightning strike a third time?
Lightning fever has gripped Tampa Bay as the two-time defending champions secured a berth in the Stanley Cup finals for the third straight year.
Find out what's happening in Tampafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
After defeating the New York Rangers 2-1 Saturday night before an electrified crowd at the Amalie Arena, winning the NHL's Eastern Conference finals, the hockey team accepted the Prince of Wales trophy for the third year in a row.
Now, the Lightning will head to Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, to face the Avalanche Wednesday at 8 p.m. in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals.
Find out what's happening in Tampafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Lightning center and team captain, Steven Stamkos, led the way to the Stanley Cup finals, scoring both goals of Saturday's game. Goal tender Andrei Vasilevskiy had 20 saves for the Lightning, which won the best of seven series 4-2.
"It’s probably not the greatest word to use, but I’m damn impressed by this group," coach Jon Cooper said."I’m just utterly impressed by what they do to win a hockey game. And the fact that they they have every excuse in the world to not win because nobody would fault them by saying, 'Hey, you won one, you won two,' and to come back and and go for a third. I’m impressed."
This will be the first Stanley Cup showdown for the Lightning and Avalanche, which rank first and third, respectively, in regular-season wins over the past four seasons. The Lightning have 192 wins to the Avalanche's 175 wins.
The Bolts will make history Wednesday night as the first team to play in three straight Stanley Cup finals since the Edmonton Oilers in 1983-85.
Projected Lineup (subject to change)
Forwards
- Ondrej Palat - Steven Stamkos - Nikita Kucherov
- Brandon Hagel - Anthony Cirelli - Alex Killorn
- Ross Colton - Nick Paul - Corey Perry
- Pat Maroon - Pierre-Edouard Bellemare - Riley Nash
Defensemen
How To Watch
Fans throughout Tampa Bay are preparing for Game 1 with watch parties planned throughout the city including the team's official Bud Light watch party at Amalie Arena.
Fans are invited to watch the Bolts play in Denver from the team's home arena. Arena doors will open an hour before the 8 p.m. puck drop. There will be live entertainment, appearances by Lightning mascot ThunderBug and other Lightning representatives, giveaways and concession specials.
Proceeds from the $10 ticket fee will go to the Lightning Foundation. Click here for tickets.
Fans can also catch the action on the big screen at the events grounds at Sparkman Wharf, 615 Channelside Drive. The event is for those age 21 and up or younger if accompanied by a legal guardian. Sparkman Wharf's beer garden and container eateries will be open. Blankets are encouraged but lawn chairs, outside food and beverage along with coolers are prohibited. Sparkman Wharf will also host watch parties for both away and home games on June 18, 20, 22 as well as June 24, 26 and 28 if those games are needed. Click here.
Sparkman Wharf will host a Lightning watch party at 8 p.m. on the event lawn.
The Press Box, 222 S. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, will be showing the game on its matrix wall and 40-plus screens with domestic drafts for $2.50 and $1 boneless wings.
222 S. Dale Mabry Hwy.
McDivot's Sports Bar & Restaurant, 10706 Countryway Blvd., Tampa, will host a watch part with a complimentary Bud Light/Lite draft when the Lightning score. There will be $4 well drinks and a $4.99 burger or chicken sandwich with a beverage purchase.
Buoy's Waterfront Bar and Grill, 678 75th Ave., St. Pete Beach, will host its first-ever watch party at 8 p.m. featuring a 30- by 15-foot floating screen.
JT's Roadhouse, 13609 N Florida Ave., Tampa, will host a a watch party at 8 p.m. with $1 jello shots, $3 lemon drops, $3 blue lightning, $10 domestic buckets, $10 boneless wings with fries and a free 12-ounce Bud or Bud Light draft every time the Lightning score.
American Social, 601 S. Harbour Island Blvd., Tampa, will begin the evening with happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. with discounted small plates, $5 house margaritas, $8 handcrafted cocktails and $5 house liquors, wines and select draft beers.
Ducky’s, 1719 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, will host a happy hour from 3 to 7 p.m. During intermission, fans can try out duck spin bowling.
Hattricks Tavern, 107 S. Franklin St., Tampa, will host Lightning game drink specials including $1 off all pints and $3 Bud Light or Coors Light drafts.
Bar Hwrd, 302 S. Howard Ave., will host a watch party with 50-cent wings and half off wells, calls, seltzers and select brews.
MacDinton’s Irish Pub, 405 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, will show the game on its giant LED TV with a pre-game party and after party featuring half off coctails and shots, $10 Lightning pitchers, BOGO Truly Seltzer and $5 Titos, Teeling, and Maestro Dobel. Commemorate the night by buying the Macs classic Lightning T-shirt.
Maloney’s Local Irish Pub, 9540 Linebaugh Ave. (Westchase), 12904 N. Dale Mabry Highway (Carrollwood) and 1120 E. Kennedy Blvd. (Downtown Tampa) will host watch parties with giant HDTVs, drink specials and patio seating.
Park & Rec, 290 S. Meridan Ave., Tampa, features 60 TVs, four bars, giant lawn games and an indoor arcade. Watch party drink specials include $5 tallboys, $7 seltzers, $8 shots, wine and prosecco, and $12 party pouches.
Or have your own watch party at home. The game will be broadcast on ABC Sports, on ESPN+, through the Fox Sports app and on Bally Sports Sun.
The Road Ahead
- Game 2: Lightning at Avalanche, Saturday, June 18
- Game 3: Lightning vs. Avalanche, Monday, June 20
- Game 4: Lightning vs. Avalanche, Wednesday, June 22
- Game 5: Lightning at Avalanche, Friday, June 24 (if necessary)
- Game 6: Lightning vs. Avalanche, Sunday, June 26 (if necessary)
- Game 7: Lightning at Avalanche, Tuesday, June 28 (if necessary)
Members of the Tampa Bay Lightning pose with the Prince of Wales trophy after defeating the New York Rangers Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Eastern Conference finals Saturday.
The Prince Of Wales Trophy
Also known as the Wales Trophy, the Prince of Wales Trophy is a team award presented by the National Hockey League to the Eastern Conference champions.
Named for Prince Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII and then Duke of Windsor) it was first presented during the 1925-26 NHL season.
Since the 1967 NHL expansion, it has served as the counterpart to the Western Conference's Clarence S. Campbell Bowl.
Prince of Wales Trophy Winners
- 2021: Tampa Bay Lightning
- 2020: Tampa Bay Lightning
- 2019: Boston Bruins
- 2018: Washington Capitals
- 2017: Pittsburgh Penguins
- 2016: Pittsburgh Penguins
- 2015: Tampa Bay Lightning
- 2014: New York Rangers
- 2013: Boston Bruins
- 2012: New Jersey Devils
- 2011: Boston Bruins
- 2010: Philadelphia Flyers
- 2009: Pittsburgh Penguins
- 2008: Pittsburgh Penguins
- 2007: Ottawa Senators
- 2006: Carolina Hurricanes
- 2004: Tampa Bay Lightning
- 2003: New Jersey Devils
- 2002: Carolina Hurricanes
- 2001: New Jersey Devils
- 2000: New Jersey Devils
- 1999: Buffalo Sabres
- 1998: Washington Capitals
- 1997: Philadelphia Flyers
- 1996: Florida Panthers
- 1995: New Jersey Devils
- 1994: New York Rangers
- 1993: Montreal Canadiens
- 1992: Pittsburgh Penguins
- 1991: Pittsburgh Penguins
- 1990: Boston Bruins
- 1989: Montreal Canadiens
- 1988: Boston Bruins
- 1987: Philadelphia Flyers
- 1986: Montreal Canadiens
- 1985: Philadelphia Flyers
- 1984: New York Islanders
- 1983: New York Islanders
- 1982: New York Islanders
- 1981: Montreal Canadiens
- 1980: Buffalo Sabres
- 1979: Montreal Canadiens
- 1978: Montreal Canadiens
- 1977: Montreal Canadiens
- 1976: Montreal Canadiens
- 1975: Buffalo Sabres
- 1974: Boston Bruins
- 1973: Montreal Canadiens
- 1972: Boston Bruins
- 1971: Boston Bruins
- 1970: Chicago Blackhawks
- 1969: Montreal Canadiens
- 1968: Montreal Canadiens
- 1967: Chicago Blackhawks
- 1966: Montreal Canadiens
- 1965: Detroit Red Wings
- 1964: Montreal Canadiens
- 1963: Toronto Maple Leafs
- 1962: Montreal Canadiens
- 1961: Montreal Canadiens
- 1960: Montreal Canadiens
- 1959: Montreal Canadiens
- 1958: Montreal Canadiens
- 1957: Detroit Red Wings
- 1956: Montreal Canadiens
- 1955: Detroit Red Wings
- 1954: Detroit Red Wings
- 1953: Detroit Red Wings
- 1952: Detroit Red Wings
- 1951: Detroit Red Wings
- 1950: Detroit Red Wings
- 1949: Detroit Red Wings
- 1948: Toronto Maple Leafs
- 1947: Montreal Canadiens
- 1946: Montreal Canadiens
- 1945: Montreal Canadiens
- 1944: Montreal Canadiens
- 1943: Detroit Red Wings
- 1942: New York Rangers
- 1941: Boston Bruins
- 1940: Boston Bruins
- 1939: Boston Bruins
- 1938: Boston Bruins
- 1937: Detroit Red Wings
- 1936: Detroit Red Wings
- 1935: Boston Bruins
- 1934: Detroit Red Wings
- 1933: Boston Bruins
- 1932: New York Rangers
- 1931: Boston Bruins
- 1930: Boston Bruins
- 1929: Boston Bruins
- 1928: Boston Bruins
- 1927: Ottawa Senators
- 1926: Montreal Maroons
- 1925: Montreal Canadiens
- 1924: Montreal Canadiens
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