Congrats Lightning, now go make your mark where it matters most, on-the-ice!!!!
Not going to lie: wrote Lightning off as a serious contender mid-season. Especially stretch after Sergachev's 2nd injury, bad stretch of games after all-star break (6-7-1), defense after break looking like beginning of season D, Vasy not looking like playoff Vasy yet, etc. But..... after trade deadline: Lightning have looked like a completely different team. They showed some of this right before All-star break, with an OK winning stretch, but Lightning haven't handled breaks to well over-the-years. So..... it's difficult to say if trade deal is what exactly brought this years bunch all-together this season. Think it's been a little of both and also a testament to the great job Copper has done all year. The improvement from start of season to now is staggering! When we consider covid flat-capped quickened "Cup" roster turnover, injuries this season, line combo's, letting Kuch carry team, etc Copper should be in running for head coach of the year award this year, but crickets..... It's hard to understand reasoning to why Copper has never won with achievements he's had during his career.
6 ECF's, 4 SCF's, and 2 "Cups" in 8 yrs stretch was more than any sports fan could ask for, but if Lightning get back, or win it all again, after covid flat-cap forced break-up of homegrown roaster quicker than any previous "Cup" winner(s) dealt with. That would be amazing for what's left of "Cups" core and for new players added afterwards. This is one of the many reasons to why Kucherov deserves MVP, Kuch helped carry this Lightning team until injured & new players got better.
Go Lightning !!!
