Match 1 is at the Ball Arena in Denver on Wednesday (8pm ET; ABC, ESPN +, CBC, SN, TVAS).
As for the Conn Smythe Trophy, which goes to the most valuable player in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Avalanche defender Cale Makar got six votes and his teammate, striker Nathan MacKinnon, got four votes.
Goalkeeper Andrei Vasilevskiy was the only Lightning player to get many votes with three. Defender Victor Hedman and forwards Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos got one each.
See how the experts chose and why:
Amalie Benjamin, personal writer
Conference final record: 2-0Overall record: 7-7
CHOOSE: Avalanche at 6
WHY: In the post-match press conference 6 against the New York Rangers on Saturday, Lightning coach Jon Cooper acknowledged how important it was that his team had taken a break before the Eastern Conference Finals after the Florida Panthers’ sweep, which the Rangers did not understand. with its seven-game winning streak in the second round against the Carolina Hurricanes. He did not help Keravnos at first, but in the end, he became big. I see the same thing happening in this series. The rest that Avalanche got will prove the difference between two extremely talented teams.
WINNER CONN SMYTHE: Nathan MacKinnon, Avalanche
Tim Campbell, personal writer
Conference finals record: 2-0Overall record: 12-2
CHOOSE: Avalanche at 6
WHY: The defending champion Lightning is going to do the toughest test in the three consecutive Stanley Cup finals they have played. They face the best team in the opposite convention, something I do not think has happened in the last two years against the Dallas Stars and the Montreal Canadians. Tampa Bay performed well and dominated the previous two Finals, true champions and full value for their titles, but they are very deep this season. If Avalanche does something close to their best game, the Cup is theirs to win.
WINNER CONN SMYTHE: Cale Makar, Avalanche
Brian Compton, Managing Editor
Conference finals record: 2-0Overall record: 9-5
CHOOSE: Lightning at 6
WHY: The Avalanche can boast more offensive talent than the reigning champions, but the Lightning have the best goalkeeper in Andrei Vasilevskiy, who happens to be the best in the NHL in his place and has once again thrived this season. Congratulations to Colorado for overcoming the hump in these playoffs, but the last step in this process is always the steepest. Tampa Bay has been in this position many times in the past and knows how to seal the deal. It should be a close line, but expect Lightning’s remarkable course to continue.
WINNER CONN SMYTHE: Andrei Vasilevsky
Nicholas J. Cotsonika, columnist
Conference finals record: 2-0Overall record: 10-4
CHOOSE: Lightning at 7
WHY: The Avalanche are 12-2, but have not faced a team that can lock it in like Lightning or a goalkeeper like Andrei Vasilevskiy. The key will be whether the Avalanche can use their speed and skills as usual, and if and when they can shoot, if they can put the elf behind one of the best goalkeepers on the planet. In the past, they have struggled to maintain a balance amid adversity in the playoffs. This will be their biggest test this season. The benefit of the doubt goes to the team that has won consecutive championships and 11 consecutive playoff series. The motto of the Colorado playoffs is “FIND A WAY”. this is what Tampa Bay has proven it can do.
WINNER CONN SMYTHE: Andrei Vasilevsky
William Douglas, personal writer
Conference final record: 0-2Overall record: 7-7
CHOOSE: Avalanche at 7
WHY: Nathan MacKinnon, powered by a Colorado exit in the second round of last year’s playoffs in the hands of the Vegas Golden Knights, and Cale Makar’s game, compared to Bobby Orr, will power the Avalanche in the Stanley Cup. Colorado also has a strong support cast that could become stronger if Nazem Kadri and Andrew Cogliano return to the Finals after hand surgery. Avalanche can beat teams in a variety of ways, whether it is a high scoring game or a defensive battle. It’s hard to pick Lightning goalkeeper Andrei Vasilevsky and the consecutive Stanley Cup champions, but it looks like it’s Colorado time.
WINNER CONN SMYHTE: Cale Makar, Avalanche
Tom Gulitti, Staff Writer
Conference finals record: 2-0Overall record: 9-5
CHOOSE: Lightning at 6
WHY: Tampa Bay has gotten this far. He could also complete the job and become the first team to win the Stanley Cup in three consecutive seasons since the New York Islanders won four consecutive championships since 1980-83. I thought the Lightning would have run out of gas by now. Their 65 playoff games in the last three seasons are a draw for most of the three seasons in NHL history (Chicago Blackhawks, 2013-15). But the Lightning are still looking for more ways to win, even after attacking striker Brayden Point suffered a lower body injury in Game 7 of the first round against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Now Point is expected to return at some point in the Cup Final, giving another boost to Tampa Bay against Avalanche.
WINNER CONN SMYTHE: Nikita Kucherov, Lightning
Pete Jensen, director, senior fantasy editor
Conference finals record: 2-0Overall record: 10-4
CHOOSE: Avalanche at 7
WHY: In this clash of the Titans (and my prediction for the Preseason Cup Final), this is the time for Avalanche to triumph. Colorado, an elf-possessed jagger, is more talented, motivated and tested in battle than he was since he last won it all in 2001. Continuing champion Lightning will undoubtedly be Avalanche’s toughest test to date. , but Colorado not only has a similar star power to Tampa Bay, but also superior depth, ice advantage at home, more rest and hunger to eventually overcome the hump. Colorado has led the NHL to victories (137) in the last three regular seasons together and is late for its third title.
WINNER CONN SMYTHE: Nathan MacKinnon, Avalanche
Adam Kimelman, Deputy Editor-in-Chief
Conference final record: 2-0Overall record: 11-3
CHOOSE: Lightning at 6
WHY: Lightning has met every challenge. They won the 7th game on the road. They swept the Florida Panthers in the second round without a doubt their best striker, Brayden Point. They lost the first two games to the New York Rangers in the conference finals and then won four in a row. Their game is exactly where they need it and they will probably get Pontus back sometime during the Final. Lightning and Avalanche have top quality stars, reliable depth and defenders who control the game. But Lightning have goalkeeper Andrei Vasilevski and league experience. No moment will be too big for them and that is why the Lightning will win the Cup for the third consecutive year.
WINNER CONN SMYTHE: Victor Hedman, Lightning
Mike G. Morreale, personal writer
Conference finals record: 2-0Overall record: 12-2
CHOOSE: Avalanche at 7
WHY: I will stay at the club I chose to win them all at the beginning of the Stanley Cup playoffs, despite the fact that they may have a small disadvantage in goal. However, the Avalanche may have the greatest depth of attack, led by center-back Nathan MacKinnon. They have proven to be extremely formidable in defense, reinforced by their position at Cale Makar. Colorado averaged more goals (4.64 goals per game) and tied for third place with the fewest goals against (2.86) among the 16 teams that qualified for the post-season. They have the second best percentage of power play (31.1) and are tied for eighth place with the Toronto Maple Leafs in the fewest penalties (43). playing seven fewer games than Toronto.
WINNER CONN SMYTHE: Cale Makar, Avalanche
Tracey Myers, personal writer
Conference finals record: 2-0Overall record: 10-4
CHOOSE: Avalanche at 7
WHY: I’m sure I have chosen Avalanche every year I am on NHL.com and will continue to choose it until I do it right. On a non-personal front, the Avalanche are resting, refreshed and could be healthier (at least on the goalkeeper’s front. Darcy Kuemper should be available for the Final after missing the last three games of the Western Conference Finals with an injury in the upper body he suffered in Game 1 vs. Edmonton Oilers). All due respect to Lightning, who were incredibly impressive reaching the final for the third consecutive season, but I think it’s time for Avalanche.
WINNER CONN SMYTHE: Nathan MacKinnon, Avalanche
Bill Price, Vice President, Editor-in-Chief
Conference finals record: 0-2Overall record: 9-5
CHOOSE: Lightning in 5
WHY: Until I really see someone beat Lightning in the postseason, I can not put him against him. In fact, I made it to the Eastern Conference final and got burned. I will not make this mistake again. They have the best goalkeeper in the final under Andrei Vasilevsky, they have real leaders Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov, Victor Hedman and Ryan McDonagh and, quite simply, they know how to win. Avalanche will be the toughest team they have faced in the final in the last three seasons, but it will not matter. We will get a three-peat this season.
WINNER CONN SMYTHE: Andrei Vasilevsky
Shawn P. Roarke, Senior Editorial Director
Conference finals record: 2-0Overall record: 10-4
CHOOSE: Avalanche at 7
WHY: The Colorado Avalanche are the best team in the playoffs and have the speed and ability to finally solve the Tampa Bay Lightning, which has won 11 consecutive series. Forward Nathan MacKinnon and defender Cale Makar will present challenges that Lightning had not faced in their previous journeys, each playing globally. It will be fun, it will be close, but Avalanche has a little too much.
WINNER CONN SMYTHE: Cale Makar, Avalanche
Dan Rosen, Senior Writer
Conference final record: 2-0Overall record: 10-4
CHOOSE: Avalanche at 6
WHY: It seems absurd to choose …
