Lightning Headed Back To The Stanley Cup Finals

Here it is! This series has gone the distance, whoever wins this game will face the Montreal Canadiens in the Stanley Cup finals. Here’s how the two teams would line up:

The starting crew for tonight!

Kucherov and Cernak are in.

In net: Vasilevskiy vs. Varlamov pic.twitter.com/huMIedHpxq

— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) June 26, 2021

Let’s go. pic.twitter.com/A7CpV2Tn8U

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) June 25, 2021

The Lightning came out fast and hard to try and get the jump on the game early. However, Semyon Varlamov stood strong in net, not allowing any shot to get past him. Varlamov faced 15 shots in the period, as he was definitely the busier goalie. The Islanders would only manage to muster 5 shots on Vasilevskiy, as there would be no scoring in the first period.

In the second period, the Lightning would once again get an early jump on things, however in an unconventional way. The Islanders would find themselves on the power play, looking to try and get an early lead in the period. A turnover would find the Lightning carrying the puck in the offensive zone by Anthony Cirelli. He would circle around the half wall and find Yanni Gourde in the slot, who shot the puck over Varlamov’s glove. It would be Yanni Gourde’s fifth goal of the playoffs, and Alex Killorn would get the secondary assist on the play. The Lightning would take a 1-0 lead heading into the third.

Penalty kill ☑️
Shorthanded goal ☑️
Yanni Gourde celly ☑️☑️☑️ pic.twitter.com/blFrWhllz2

— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) June 26, 2021

In the third period, the Islanders would do all they could to try and tie up the game; however, the Lightning’s defense would stifle any chances, as shot blocking was the name of the game. The Lightning recorded a grand total of 21 blocked shots throughout the game. Time would run out for New York, as Vasilevskiy and the Lightning held on to complete the shutout and secure themselves a spot in the Stanley Cup finals.

RUN IT BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WE’RE GOING TO THE STANLEY CUP FINAL…AGAIN pic.twitter.com/0GzgdpJVCv

— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) June 26, 2021

The Tampa Bay Lightning will play host to the Montreal Canadiens in the Stanley Cup finals. The Lightning are looking to repeat, as they won the Cup last season. The Canadiens will be playing in the finals for the first time since 1993, which Montreal won that year.

Second date, @TBLightning?

— The Stanley Cup (@StanleyCup) June 26, 2021

Three Stars:

Yanni Gourde
Ryan McDonagh
Barclay Goodrow

Boxscore:

https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyi-vs-tbl/2021/06/25/2020030327#game=2020030327,game_state=final,game_tab=stats

Next Game:

Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals: Mon. June 28th at 8p on NBCSN

Back to the #StanleyCup Final…

Congratulations to the @TBLightning! ⚡ pic.twitter.com/cfjAE1FSWC

— NHL (@NHL) June 26, 2021