The 2019-20 National Hockey League season is finally over – three months after it was originally intended to be. On Monday evening, the Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Dallas Stars 2-0 in game six to win the best-of-seven series 4-2 and claim the second Stanley Cup in the club’s history.
It is a triumph that will forever go down in history with the Lightning winning the game’s most prestigious prize from inside the league bubble in Edmonton. After spending months away from family and friends, the sacrifice paid off for a Lightning side that was swept in four straight games in the opening round of the playoffs last season. “Basically, we went from the outhouse to the penthouse,” coach Jon Cooper said, via TSN.
Cooper’s club became the first team in NHL history to win the Stanley Cup a year after being swept in a series. What makes the feat even more impressive is the fact the club did it without their captain Steven Stamkos. The veteran made one playoff appearance in game four of the Stanley Cup final after being out for months, but only managed a couple of minutes of ice time before sitting on the bench for the remainder of the game. In his short time back on the ice though, he did manage to score a crucial goal.
“It was special this year, to do it in the style we did it,” captain Steven Stamkos said following the win. “It was amazing to be part of it, this whole run. I think it was one of the toughest championships to win and we found a way.”
While some suggest that there will always be an asterisk next to the Lightning’s 2020 victory because of the way the season was carried out following the COVID-19 pandemic, Stamkos isn’t buying it. “It was special this year, to do it in the style we did it,” Stamkos said. “It was amazing to be part of it, this whole run. I think it was one of the toughest championships to win and we found a way.”
Defenseman Victor Hedman was presented with the Conn Smythe Trophy which is awarded to the most valuable player for his team in the Stanley Cup playoffs. It was Hedman’s first time winning the award and he is the first Tampa Bay player to claim the trophy since Brad Richards in 2004.
“It’s been a grind,” said Hedman, via TSN. “It hasn’t been easy, but it’s all worth it now. We’re Stanley Cup champs and we’re going to be Stanley Cup champs forever. It’s going to be in history. Our grandkids can look at the Stanley Cup and see our names.
“It’s been different, 24 teams came in and we’re standing as the last team. It’s amazing.”
The Lightning will have the opportunity to defend the Stanley Cup next season, but it remains to be seen when that will be exactly. The 2020-21 NHL season is likely to commence in January, but a confirmed date has not yet been established.
