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In this edition of the hotstove, we share our predictions for the Stanley Cup.
Todd Cordell
Dallas is an awesome story but I just don’t see them accomplishing much here. Where is their advantage?
Tampa Bay has the better talent up top. They have more depth. And, as good as Anton Khudobin has been, I’m taking Andrei Vasilevskiy every time.
The Stars have received a ton of credit for their defensive play. It’s a big reason they’ve made it thus far. But the Lightning have been even better defensively.
Tampa Bay has conceded 22.8 chances, and 1.75 expected goals, per 60 minutes at 5v5. Meanwhile, Dallas has given up 24.3 chances and 2.23 expected goals. They’ve defended as well as realistically possible and yet the Lightning have still done a better job of limiting the danger in front of Vasilevskiy.
Simply put, the Lightning are better in possession, better in transition, and they have the true talent to take advantage.
We may see close, low-scoring games but I don’t think this series is going to last too long. Give me the Lightning in 5 or 6.
Sean Maloughney
The Tampa Bay Lightning in 6.
The Stars have had a phenomenal run and it's been fun to watch this underdog team make it all the way to the Cup Finals but I see their end at the hands of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The closest comparable to the Lightning in terms of style and offensive weapons would be the Colorado Avalanche, the team that the Stars beat in OT in Game 7. While some might point out that the Stars beat this team, they did so with the Avs missing key players in goaltender Grubauer, defenseman Erik Johnson, and star forward Gabriel Landeskog and even with those pieces gone Colorado was still able to push the Stars to the brink.
The Lightning may have some of their own key injuries in Stamkos and Point but both have yet to be ruled out so I am assuming both will see some action. For me the Lightning just have too much firepower for Khudobin to handle.
numbers via naturalstattrick.com
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