Three Keys to Game 1 of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final

Game 1 of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final happens tonight between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Colorado Avalanche. This is the most anticipated series the NHL has seen in a long time, with the two best teams squaring off for hockey’s ultimate prize — the Stanley Cup.

The Avalanche are coming off nine days of rest after sweeping the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference Final. Meanwhile, the two-time defending champion Lightning will be coming off three days rest after defeating the New York Rangers in six games in the Eastern Conference Final.

There is so much on the line for both teams. The Lightning are looking to three-peat. Meanwhile, the Avalanche are the favourites and are expected to win. It will be really be interesting to see how these teams match up in Game 1. Do they take it slow and ease each other out, or will both teams try to establish their respective games early?

Let’s find here as we take a look at three keys to Game 1 of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final between Colorado and Tampa Bay.

2022 Stanley Cup Final: Keys To Game 1

1. Structure vs. Speed

One of the big keys coming into this series is the structure of the Lightning taking on the speed of the Avalanche. As we saw in the Eastern Conference Final, the Lightning — led by Anothony Cirelli — were able to wear down the Rangers. Cirelli’s ability to lock it down defensively have given forwards fits throughout the playoffs. If Jon Cooper is going to play the match-up game, he is going to want that Cirelli line out against Nathan MacKinnon‘s line.

That MacKinnon is highly skilled and fast. It’s the same on the backend with Cale Makar and Devon Toews alone, not to mention up front with Gabriel Landeskog, MacKinnon, and either Artturi Lehkonen or Valeri Nichushkin. Colorado’s ability to move the puck through the neutral zone and into the opponent’s zone has been well documented. Not only can Colorado skate it out of their zone, but they make quick passes as well. The Lightning like to clog up the neutral zone, making it hard for teams to set up offensively (not to mention, the Lightning’s relentless forecheck).

This is a chess game that will carry over into every game. But it is the game within the game that is so fun to watch.

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2. Special Teams

Special teams always seem to be a factor in any series. Take the Lightning versus the Florida Panthers in the second round. Florida had to stay out of the penalty box. They didn’t, and it cost them the series. Even though the Rangers power play was red hot — scoring a power play goal in five of the six games — in the one game they did not, it cost them the series. Both the Lightning and Avalanche have great special teams play. Both power play units are on fire. Tampa Bay’s penalty killing can improve. It is really simple for both teams to avoid the penalty box. But Tampa Bay’s one edge is Andrei Vasilevskiy. If he sees it, he will stop it — unless you have the structure moving side-to-side.

3. Avoiding Mistakes

Many people will look at this one and say you must avoid mistakes. But, it is a costly mistake that always ends up in the back of your net: not playing to the final whistle or horn, and the little mental lapses that cost a team in every game. Tampa Bay has scored three goals with under two minutes left in the third period, something Colorado has to be weary of (though the Avalanche has shown they can do that, too). These two teams are evenly matched in such a way that one mistake is all they need.

For the Lightning, keeping the game simple on the road is the key to playing in Colorado. For the Avalanche, just keep playing your game. Do not let the moment get too big. The Lightning have been here before and know what it is like. However, if there is one area the Avalanche can take advantage of, it is the Lightning sitting too much on a one-goal lead. We saw at times if you get the Lightning on their heels, they can make mistakes in their own end.

Both teams just have to play within themselves and avoid that costly turnover that ends up in the back of their net.