NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcast with Len Shapiro: Lightning strikes twice Bolts get second win to stay alive 3-2; Aves with series lead 3-2

Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Ondrej Palat (18) scores against the Colorado Avalanche and gets congratulated by Mikhail Sergachev (98) and Steven Stamkos (91) at the Ball Center in Denver in game 5 of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals on Fri Jun 24, 2022

On the NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcast with Len:

#1 The Colorado Avalanche came into game 5 Friday night thinking that with a win they would be able to hoist the Stanley Cup on their home ice after taking a 3-1 lead. It was not to be as the Tampa Bay Lighting scored a goal in each of the first, second and third periods to come away with a 3-2 win and to stay alive for another game.

#2 The Lightning’s Ondrej Palat scored the game winner in the third period at 6:22 and Tampa Bay was able to defend keeping the Aves out of their net for the one goal win.

#3 Tampa Bay goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 35 shots and looked like he was back in old form again shutting out the Avalanche in the first period while allowing one goal in each of the second and third periods.

#4 The Lightning also got goals from two reliable sources Nikita Kucherov and defenseman Jan Rutta which proved to be a total team effort by the Tampa Bay for the win.

#5 Game 6 is on deck in Tampa Bay this will give the Lightning a chance to tie the series on home ice or the Avalanche a chance to put it away on the road at Amalie Arena.

Join Len throughout the NHL Stanley Cup Finals for coverage at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcast with Len Shapiro: Aves jump all over Lightning from first period till end of game 7-0

Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (71) looks up after a fight during the third period in Game 2 against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena in Denver on Sat Jun 18, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcast with Len:

#1 Len how do the Tampa Bay Lightning a two time World Champ explain what happened to them in game 2 of the Finals getting blown out 7-0 the Colorado Avalanche just dominated in the first period scoring three unanswered goals.

#2 How embarrassing is this for the Lightning’s Andrei Vasilevskiy who faced 30 shots and allowed seven goals?

#3 After getting defeated in game 1 4-3 in overtime in Colorado do you find that the Lightning were intimidated by the Aves or did the Aves just catch the Lightning on an off game and really took it to them?

#4 It pretty much looked like a game where the Aves had their way with the Lightning, great skating, great passing, the Aves Cale Makar and Valeri Nichushkin both made work of the Lightning scoring two goals a piece in the effort.

#5 Game 3 goes back to Tampa Bay for Monday night and Wednesday nights for games 3 and 4. Could the Lightning right the ship and get in the win column on home ice and how grateful are the Bolts that they don’t have to play this whole series in Denver?

Join Len for the NHL Finals podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcast with Len Shapiro: Avalanche take 1-0 lead into game 2 on Saturday night at Ball Arena

Colorado Avalanche left wing J.T. Compher, left, scores on Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy, right,for an overtime goal by Andre Burakovsky in Game 1 at Ball Arena in Denver on Wed Jun 15, 2022 (AP News photo0

On the NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcast with Len:

#1 The Tampa Bay Lightning two time defending Stanley Cup Champions were edged on Wednesday night at Ball Arena in Denver 4-3. One game doesn’t determine the Finals but the Avalanche have been getting some lucky bounces after sweeping the Oilers they open this one up with a win.

#2 The Avalanche didn’t waste anytime in the first period they put it on net against the Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy with a three goal period.

#3 Tough game for Vasilevskiy who allowed four goals would you consider this like the last series against the Rangers a slow start but they will pick it up once again when they get back to Tampa Bay.

#4 The Lightning still a competitor they fought hard enough to tie up the game with two goals in the second period it making 3-3. The Avalanche and Lightning couldn’t score the third period forcing overtime when the Avs Andre Burakovsky scored at 1:23 for the game winning goal.

#5 Len, the Lightning and Avalanche play game 2 on Saturday night in Denver after having some nine days off between series did it seem like the Avalanche didn’t miss a step in watching them in game 1.

Join Len Shapiro for the NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcasts during the Finals at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcast with Len Shapiro: It’s Avalanche and Lightning in finals; Puck drops for game 1 on Wednesday in Colorado

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Darcy Kumper puts a stop on a shot in front of the net during game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against the Edmonton Oilers on Tue May 31, 2022 at the Ball Center in Denver. Question is who will start in goal for Colorado on Wed Jun 15 for game 1 of the Finals Kumeper or Paul Francouz? (AP News photo)

On the NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcast with Len:

#1 Len, how stunning is it that the Tampa Bay Lightning can come back the way they did down 2-0 to eliminate the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference Finals with four straight wins.

#2 The Lightning’s Steven Stamkos scored twice in game six in Saturday’s elimination game how crucial was Stamkos for the Lightning in this series?

#3 Stamkos said looking back on the series that this is a special group here because of the way they’ve played and they way they’ve rebounded winning four straight in a series like this.

#4 Len it’s been nine days since the Western Conference Champion Colorado Avalanche have played a game on Mon Jun 6th when they advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals. Will having nine days off be an advantage for the Avalanche in terms of lots of practice and rest or a disadvantage not seeing live action all this time?

#5 Avalanche’s goaltender Darcy Kuemper had to leave the series against the Edmonton Oilers and was replaced by Paul Francouz. Kuemper has had time to recover who do you see starting Wednesday for the Aves in game 1 of the Finals.

Join Len throughout the NHL Stanley Cup Finals for exclusive coverage and podcasts throughout the finals at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Canadiens need to worry about Point, Palat, and Kucherov on potent Bolts offense in game 2 tonight

Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) goes down and forward to make a save against the Montreal Canadiens center Nick Suzuki (14) during game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals on Mon Jun 28, 2021 at Tampa Bay (AP News photo

On the NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcast with Marko:

#1 Len the Tampa Bay Lightning put on a goal scoring clinic on Monday night with a 5-1 victory over the visiting Montreal Canadiens frankly it was just a lopsided event to start the finals.

#2 The Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov led with two goals and Kucherov has now added to his seven goals and 23 points in the post season and been a big contributor for the Bolts offense.

#3 Marko, the Canadiens have had some great series in the post season a come back series against the Toronto Maple Leafs and they defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2 in round two. The Lightning however displayed what kind of team they are a take over and control team do you see Tampa Bay being a little too much for the Habs in the Finals?

#4 For Canadien goaltender Carey Price a rough evening on Monday facing 27 shots but allowing five goals as great as Price has been in this post season the Lightning just laser beamed shots past Price all night.

#5 Game 2 tonight in Tampa Bay, Ondrej Palat, Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov are the Lightning’s top three sharp shooters do you agree if the Canadiens can shut them down they can shut the Lightning down and have a chance to even the series?

Join Marko is filling in for Len Shapiro who does the NHL Stanley Cup podcasts Wednesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com