Hockey Royalty Staff Stanley Cup Final Predictions

Richard Jelinek

With much of the hockey world waiting to see if the Tampa Bay Lightning can 3-peat, others are watching a powerhouse, otherwise known as the Colorado Avalanche, rip through the Western Conference. Many have said that the Avalanche have not seen a goalie like Tampa’s goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy. However, the same could be said as the Lightning has not seen a loaded, offensive powerhouse like the Avalanche.

While Tampa Bay does have an experienced team, Colorado has all systems firing, winning two of the three rounds by sweeps. The Avalanche has a loaded four lines and three defensive pairings that can play a 200-foot game. The Avalanche are rolling right now, and I don’t think there is a repeat. Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar win their first Stanley Cup.

Prediction: Avalanche in 6.

Kiffin McGinnis

It’s going to be a rough ride for both teams. There’s no two ways about it. Tampa has the experience to carry themselves through a brutal final, with a total of 18 losses over the last three years in the playoffs. Their proven core of Point, Kucherov, Stamkos, and Vasilevskiy is going to be a force to be reckoned with as they enter their third straight Stanley Cup Final. Now a team with not a single rookie on the roster, the Lightning are working toward making themselves a true dynasty. Kucherov, in particular, is going to be key. With 23 points so far this postseason, he is going to be called upon to do the good work for the Lightning to cement themselves even further in history.

As to their opponents, what is there to say? The last team to play only 14 games on the way to the final was the Los Angeles Kings in 2012. The advantage Colorado seems to have is depth, with nine players having more than 10 points in the playoffs. Colorado has also proven they can grab momentum in a series,  totaling two sweeps this year. However, the unproven core is going to be put to the test as they come up against a true juggernaut.

Prediction: Lightning in 6.

Jack Weber

The Avs have hardly broken a sweat yet in this year’s playoffs. They’ve got a pair of sweeps under their belt already, are a perfect 7-0 on the road, and have only lost two games, the fewest amount of losses by any team in the first three rounds of the playoffs since the 2012 Kings.

But the Lightning will be by far their toughest opponent yet. It’s Goliath VS Goliath this year, and this should be a great series that could go either way. There isn’t a lot separating these teams, but I’m going to take the Lightning. They know how to do this, and even after winning the Cup the last two years, they still seem hungry for another one.

Four straight Cups for Pat Maroon? Sure, why not.

Prediction: Lightning in 7.

Ryan Durham

The Colorado Avalanche have been a juggernaut all season, securing their first trip to the Finals since the days of Ray Bourque, Peter Forsberg, and Joe Sakic. Unfortunately, the Avs’ new stars like Cale Makar and Nate MacKinnon are going to have to go through Tampa Bay to hoist the Cup.

Although the Lightning have won it all two years in a row, they never seem to be a sexy pick to do it again. In fact, teams seem to beat them twice or even three times in a series fairly often, but that fourth one? Yeah, about that. Andrei Vasilevskiy is the main reason this team is so hard to kill, and I expect he’ll do it again.

Prediction: Tampa in 7.

Russell Morgan

Couldn’t have asked for a better cherry on top of what has been an excellent playoffs. Even though the Tampa Bay Lightning have been trucking along and a Brayden Point return could be on the horizon, I’m afraid their dreams for a third straight Stanley Cup will not come to fruition.

The Avalanche offense will be too much for Vasileskiy to handle. And Cale Makar will shine throughout the series to take home the Conn Smythe.

Prediction: Avalanche in 6.

Pavel Maliouguine

Winning 3 Stanley Cups in a row in the salary cap era is unspeakable. Creating a dynasty in the modern age of hockey where randomness is heavily weighed into the final score seems impossible, but here we are in 2022 on the verge of the Tampa Bay Lightning three-peating. If that isn’t crazy enough, Patrick Maroon appearing in 4 straight finals should be enough to set you over the edge.

The Avalanche have finally emerged outside of the second round and have proven themselves to be arguably the best team in the entire NHL. This year, they’re off to the Stanley Cup finals to battle for the greatest trophy in all of sports.

Now, as much as we would like to see the Avalanche ruin Tampa’s fun in a battle of Goliath VS Goliath, it’s hard to imagine the Lightning losing. The Bolts are an experienced team, and that’s why I think they’ll have the advantage in this series. Will it be a close series? Very likely. But I truly cannot see the Lightning not winning the Cup this year.

Prediction: Lightning in 6.

Ryan Sikes

Tampa has the advantage in net in Andrei Vasilevskiy, and Brayden Point looks like he will return in Game 1. The Avalanche potentially being without Nazem Kadri (and Andrew Cogliano) hurts a lot. That said, I see this series coming down to special teams. Colorado has converted on 31.1 percent of its power-play opportunities in the postseason. Tampa, just 22.6 percent.

Overall, Colorado is averaging over 1.5 goals per game better than the Lightning. I think Jared Bednar’s team just has too much firepower in Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, Gabriel Landeskog, and Cale Makar.

Prediction: Avalanche in 6.

Now let’s hear from you!

Who wins the Stanley Cup Final? #StanleyCup #GoAvsGo #GoBolts

— Hockey Royalty (@Hockey_Royalty) June 15, 2022