It was Edmonton, it was a bubble, it was Game 6 of the 2020 Stanley Cup Final and the Tampa Bay Lighting put an end to the strangest NHL season in history.
The Lightning defeated the Dallas Stars, 2-0, for their second Cup Championship; their first was in 2004.
Andrei Vasilevskiy made 22 saves for his first shutout of this postseason.
“That last period was probably the longest period of my life,” Tampa Bay’s Victor Hedman said. “I’m at a loss for words. You obviously wish your family and fans could be here, but we felt the support from back home. So many emotions at the same time. It’s tough to describe.”
Brayden Point scored his NHL-leading 14th goal of the playoffs in the first period.
“It still doesn’t feel real,” the Lightning’s Steve Stamkos said. “I’m so proud of every single player on this team. It was just so amazing to watch, they were so inspiring. I’m speechless. This is amazing.”
Blake Coleman struck for a goal in the middle frame.
“It’s a dream come true,” Coleman said. “It’s everything you work for as a hockey player. Little heavier than I thought, but it’s unbelievable.”
Hedman was named the Conn Smythe winner with 10 goals.
“I’m at a loss for words,” Hedman said. “You obviously wish your family and fans could be here, but we felt the support from back home. So many emotions at the same time, it’s tough to describe.”
Hedman had 22 points in the post season.
“We’re not here for our personal stats,” Hedman said earlier i the series. “We’re here for one thing and that’s winning the Stanley Cup, so when I get the puck on my stick, [I] make a pass or shoot for the goal. But [I’m] obviously happy with the way things have been going. But at the end of the day, it’s about helping our team win, and even if it’s by a goal or a blocked shot, it doesn’t really matter to us. The end goal is still the same.”
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Anton Khudobin made 27 saves in the loss.
“There’s no feelings right now,” Khudobin said. “Just ended, you know? We battled hard, especially with the situation. It’s not easy to stay without families for two months, stuff like that. We stick together, we stick to each other. But right now, there’s nothing.”
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