The Stanley Cup Final between the Colorado Avalanche and Tampa Bay Lightning moves to Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla., for Game 6 with the Avs leading the series 3-2. Stick here for live updates leading up to and during the game. Refresh to see our latest analysis.
Post game coverage
- Colorado Avalanche beats Tampa Bay, 2-1, in Game 6 to win Stanley Cup
- Avs’ Cale Makar wins Conn Smythe Trophy as MVP of the Stanley Cup playoffs
- Avalanche 3 stars: Nathan MacKinnon, Artturi Lehkonen, Darcy Kuemper pure clutch in Avs’ first Stanley Cup title in 21 years
- Avalanche’s run to the Stanley Cup is one of the best in modern NHL history
- Avalanche-Lightning Game 6 quick hits: Goalie Darcy Kuemper delivers two shutout periods to win Stanley Cup
- Kiszla: “We were crying.” Avs’ championship is act of love between hockey brothers Gabe Landeskog and Erik Johnson
- PHOTOS: Colorado Avalanche beat Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 6 to win Stanley Cup
- Avs GM Joe Sakic revels in franchise rebuild to Stanley Cup champions: “This is something you dream of”
Live updates
Third period highlights
CHAMPIONS! (8:47 p.m.): It’s over. There will be no Tampa Bay Lightning three-peat. Instead, the Colorado Avalanche will claim the third Stanley Cup in franchise history with a 2-1 victory that put the finishing touches on a 16-4 run through the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The 1996 team (16-6) wasn’t that dominant. Neither was the 2001 title-winning club (16-7). Go crazy, folks. It doesn’t get any better than this. — Matt Schubert
So close (8:40 p.m.): Take another shot of Pepto. The guys with white gloves have taken the Stanley Cup out of the case. It’s so close. And the Avs are hanging on for dear life after Darcy Kuemper swallowed up Nikita Kucherov’s one-timer. Avalanche 2, Lightning 1 w/ 6:32 to play. — Matt Schubert
Closing kick (8:26 p.m.): This is how you close out a series. The Avs have not scored, but they also haven’t given up a single shot on goal in the first nine minutes of the third period. Deep breaths, Avs fans. Deep breaths. — Matt Schubert
Joe Sakic, assistant GMs Chris MacFarland and Craig Billington, plus skills coach Shawn Allard, watching third period from visiting GM suite
— Mike Chambers (@MikeChambers)
Second intermission analysis
Ryan O’Halloran, sports reporter: Alright, boys, you’re 20 minutes from glory after a tour de force second period (2-0 in goals and 15-9 on shots). MacKinnon tied it on a one-timer from the circle and then his pass, after hitting traffic, went to Artturi Lehkonen for the go-ahead goal. If the Avs lose, they will look back at that failed power play late in the second.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: When both Nathan MacKinnon (He’s on the board!) and Darcy Kuemper (17-for-17 on stops after Tampa’s flukey opening goal) are in the flow, the Avs are an absolute beast to beat. But another tip of the cap to Captain Clutch, Artturi Lehkonen, whose eighth goal of the Stanley Cup Playoffs gave Colorado a 2-1 lead. Including the ’21 postseason, five of No. 62’s last 10 playoff goals coming into Game 6 have been game-winners. Of the fast Finn’s first seven goals this postseason, three were game-winners. Will his latest be the fourth?
Mark Kiszla, sport columnist: Nathan MacKinnon was here, there and everywhere in the second period, and was Reason No. 1 the Avalanche scored twice. Comeback victory No. 10 of the playoffs would win the Cup for Avalanche. Not. Too. Shabby.
Kyle Fredrickson, sports reporter: What a bush-league move by Lightning forward Patrick Maroon after the Artturi Lehkonen goal. Maroon broke his stick over Josh Manson’s leg in frustration. An obvious slashing call that received no whistle. But is Tampa Bay cracking? What a resilient period for the Avs with two unanswered goals. The Cup is within reach.
Mike Chambers, Avalanche beat writer: Excellent middle from the Avs, who scored two goals on 14 shots and limited the Lightning to nine shots and no goals. Darcy Kuemper didn’t have to be great in the period because the puck was mostly played in Tampa’s zone. MacKinnon scored during a delayed penalty and got the primary assist on Lehkonen’s goal. My prediction was Colorado would win if MacKinnon had a big game. He has. And he’s not done. Avs need another goal, maybe two, to hoist the Stanley Cup in about an hour.
Second period highlights
End of period (7:53 p.m.): Lord Stanley’s Cup is so close you can almost taste the Pinot. It’s Avalanche 2, Lightning 1 with 20 minutes to go. Buckle up, buttercup. — Matt Schubert
Power play fizzles (7:50 p.m.): Opportunity lost. The Avs put one shot on next on the power play and still leads by one goal late in the second period. — Matt Schubert
Bolts’ frustration mounts (7:43 p.m.): After putting up a stink following each of the Avs’ first two goals, the Lightning’s frustration boiled over when Ryan McDonagh committed an obvious boarding penalty on Nazem Kadri late in the second period. Another Avs power play upcoming, and a chance to take control of this game. — Matt Schubert
The Finnisher (7:37 p.m.): The Avs, playing with desperation, took control of the second period, and their persistence paid off when a lucky bounce found Artturi Lehkonen’s stick on the left wing on a breakaway. And the Finn had no problem finishing it for his eighth goal of the playoffs. So many great trade deadline pickups from GM Joe Sakic, but Lehkonen might be the best. Avalanche 2, Lightning 1 w/ less than seven minutes to go in the second period. — Matt Schubert
Hey, this Lehkonen guy, we're quite the fan.
— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche)
(7:30 p.m.): Avs goal reads Nathan MacKinnon from Bo Byram and Gabe Landeskog. But Mikko Rantanen played a huge part. He kept the puck inside the offensive zone. Just barely. He made a good read on the puck. Tampa Bay’s Nick Paul tried pushing the puck up ice and Rantanen chased after it and dumped in the corner where Landeskog picked it up. — Mike Chambers
Nate the Great (7:16 p.m.): You don’t give Nathan MacKinnon three looks at the net in one game and live to tell about it. Even if you’re Andrei Vasilevskiy. Working the puck on a delayed penalty, Bo Byram played a pass from the point over to an all-alone MacK in the left circle, who fired a one-timer that deflected off his right pad and through. That’s MacKinnon’s second goal of the Cup Final (13th of the playoffs), and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Avalanche 1, Lightning 1 — Matt Schubert
Way to kick it off, Nate 👊
— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche)
First intermission analysis
Ryan O’Halloran, sports reporter: A pathetic first period for the Avalanche. Cale Makar took a needless neutral zone penalty in the first minute, but the Avs were able to kill off that penalty (no shots allowed). And then Makar coughed it up behind his own goal-line and it ended up on Steven Stamkos’ stick for a 1-0 lead at 3:48. Why does it feel the deficit is worse than 1-0?
Mark Kiszla, sports columnist: Avs might be faster. But you couldn’t tell it in the first period, because the Lightning came out way more furious. Down 1-0 is not a huge concern. Here’s what is: Instead of dictating action, the Avs are playing the Lightning’s game. That’s got to change, or we’re headed for a Game 7.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: The Avs had, what, five point-blank looks in the Tampa Bay crease? The Lightning, meanwhile, had just one, thanks to what appeared to be a Cale Makar turnover. The difference? Tampa took advantage of that one gift, converting a shortie into a 1-0 lead. On the other end, Bolts goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy, the dragon no NHL team has figured out how to completely kill yet, has stoned Nathan MacKinnon (twice), Nazem Kadri (twice), and Artturi Lehkonen off the right post in a shot that feels as if it would’ve gone in during any other Avs playoff game up to this point. Is the pressure of closing this thing out getting to the Burgundy and Blue?
Kyle Fredrickson, sports reporter: Letap be honest, Cale Makar hasn’t looked all that sharp since he won the Norris Trophy. He put Tampa Bay on the power-play with an interference call. Then his giveaway in the defensive zone set up a Steven Stamkos goal to put the Lightning ahead. But it’s not just Makar. Colorado isn’t playing like a team thatap ready to clinch this series.
Mike Chambers, Avalanche beat writer: Rugged start but good response to some big-time adversity. The Avalanche again went to the box early — just 23 second in — to kill that storm that it wanted to create early. The Avs had a good PK but their bad luck on a pinball puck led to Steven Stamkos’ goal and Tampa’s 1-0 lead. Overall, the Avs didn’t play poorly. But as coach Jared Bednar always says, catchup hockey is bad hockey. This was not the opening frame in Game 6 that Colorado envisioned.
We’ve got spirit, yes we do.
We’ve got spirit, HOW ABOUT YOU?— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche)
First period highlights
End of period (6:52 p.m.): The Avs appeared to take control in the second half of the first period, but are still scoreless. Lightning 1, Avalanche 0 at the intermission. — Matt Schubert
On the doorstep (6:43 p.m.): The Avs’ best chance of the first period came with roughly five minutes before the intermission, when Artturi Lehkonen received a pass directly in front of the crease. Unfortunately, the Finn was unable to get much on the tip, and the puck fluttered off the post and out. Still Lightning 1-0 with under four minutes left before the break. — Matt Schubert
Bad start, good response (6:38 p.m.): Cale Makar took an interference minor 23 seconds into the game and a pinball puck was scooped out of the net behind Darcy Kuemper at 3:58. The Avs beautifully killed off Makar’s penalty but an unfortunate bounce led to Steven Stamkos’ turn-and-fire goal from the doorstep. Colorado responded nicely, however, pushing the pace in what has been an incredibly fast first period. There’s 5:03 remaining and the Avalanche have produced the last four shots. — Mike Chambers
Unlucky early (6:26 p.m.): A battle on the boards behind the Avs goal turned deadly when the puck squirted out to the front of the goal off Cale Makar’s stick, and Steven Stamkos poked it through Darcy Kuemper’s legs for the first goal of the game. The Avs are going to need to notch comeback win No. 10 of the postseason if they are going to hoist the Cup tonight. Lightning 1, Avalanche 0. — Matt Schubert
O CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN 🫡
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning)
Early whistle (6:22 p.m.): Congrats to those who bet a penalty in the game’s first minute. The Lightning drew one just 23 seconds in. But following a familiar theme, the Avs penalty kill took care of business without much fuss — although Andrew Cogliano looked like he took a bad one off his knee on a blocked shot. Still scoreless. — Matt Schubert
Game 6 predictions
Ryan O’Halloran, sports reporter: Avalanche 4, Lightning 3. The Avs should treat this as their Game 7 because a Tampa Bay team, already twice a champion, will have the momentum and psychological advantage if the series goes back to Denver on Tuesday night. Minus the distractions and pressure, the Avalanche get two goals from Nathan MacKinnon to clinch the Cup.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: Avalanche 3, Lightning 2, OT. The Darcy Kuemper Roller-Coaster Ride continues, only this time in a good way. In his four postseason starts immediately following an appearance of allowing three goals or more, Mount Darcy is 3-1 while allowing just 2.25 goals per game. Against the swampy ice, the crowd and the odds, that should be enough. Because if it ain’t, nobody’s quite sure what we’d get between the pipes in a Game 7. Well, other than more softies.
Mike Chambers, Avalanche beat writer: The series ends tonight. Darcy Kuemper is good enough in net and Nathan MacKinnon finally gets going on the stat sheet to the point where Conn Smythe voters like myself reconsider their No. 1 guy. Cale Makar is the heavy favorite but if MacKinnon (or Nazem Kadri) carry this team to the Cup that could change. I also see things going Colorado’s way because the officiating will be more even than Game 5. I hate writing that stuff but Makar’s tripping minor was bogus and the non-call slash on his breakaway created a pattern the league undoubtedly looked at.
Mark Kiszla, sports columnist: Avalanche 4, Lightning 1. Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon roar. Darcy Kuemper doesn’t mess up. Gabe Landeskog hoists the Cup. Could it really be that easy? Well, talent usually wins out in the end. But tell you what. If the never-say-die Lightning somehow force Game 7, you’re not going to like my pick.
Kyle Fredrickson, sports reporter: Lightning 4, Avalanche 2. This pick is admittedly selfish. Few things in sports are better than a Game 7 to win it all. Why not bring this thing back to Denver? It would be epic. The Lightning is far too poised to let Colorado hoist the trophy on its home ice.
Pregame updates
Solid sweaters (5:34 p.m.): If you don’t have a dog in the fight, why not rep the good ol’ USA? –– Matt Schubert
Contest for Best Sweaters In Arena? Contest over.
— Ryan O'Halloran (@ryanohalloran)
Style update (4:30 p.m.): The Cup is in the building, so you better dress respectfully. — Matt Schubert
Playoff plaid.
— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche)
Again.
— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche)
Absence hasn’t impacted Avalanche center Nazem Kadri’s offensive contributions
The lone benefit of having an upper body injury in the NHL playoffs? A player can still skate … and skate a lot.
For Avalanche center Nazem Kadri, a broken thumb sustained in Game 3 of the Edmonton series kept him out of the lineup for 18 days, but when he was cleared, he was in condition to play … and play a lot. — Ryan O’Halloran
Read more from Ryan O’Halloran.
Avalanche prepares for second chance to hoist the Stanley Cup — this time in Tampa
It was another maintenance morning for a handful of Avalanche forwards on Sunday at Amalie Arena. Gabe Landeskog, Nazem Kadri, Valeri Nichushkin and Andre Burakovsky each skipped the skate ahead of Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Colorado coach Jared Bednar said he’s hopeful all four banged-up forwards will be available to play as the club prepares for its second consecutive chance to win the Stanley Cup. — Mike Chambers
Stanley Cup Finals, Game 6: Must reads
Keeler: Want to beat Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper, Avalanche? Join him. Start fast. Play desperate.
How bad do you want it, Nathan MacKinnon?
With the exception of Game 4, where things got cuckoo immediately and largely stayed there, the Stanley Cup Finals have been dictated by the team — Avalanche or Lightning — that controlled the first 20 minutes.
Game 1: The Gabe Landeskog and Val Nichushkin Show set the tone for the party, firing the hosts to a 3-1 lead at the first intermission, and a 4-3 Avs win in overtime.
Game 2: Andre Burakovsky’s goal capped a 3-0 first-period cushion en route to a 7-0 Colorado laugher. — Sean Keeler
Read Sean Keeler’s full column.
Game 6 debate: Which Avs player needs to step up for Colorado to stave off Tampa Bay?
The Avs are the team with more talent. The Lightning is the team with more belief. So what wins out? Talent, provided it steps up for Colorado. Read what The Postap sports staff have to say about it.
More Stanley Cup Final coverage
- Stanley Cup Final, Game 6: Five things to watch when Avalanche faces Lightning
- Tivoli Quad will not host watch party for Game 6 of Stanley Cup Final between Avalanche and Lightning
- Avalanche Analysis: Jared Bednar satisfied with Game 5 scoring chances, but more efficient work is required to clinch Stanley Cup
- Kiszla: Avalanche’s victory parade takes unwelcome 1,858-mile detour after 3-2 loss to Tampa Bay
- Jumping on the bandwagon? Here’s what you need to know about the Colorado Avalanche
