The Stanley Cup is in the building. The Colorado Avalanche lead the best-of-seven series with the Tampa Bay Lightning, 3-1. The Avs could close out the series and keep the Cup in the building in Friday’s Game 5.
Game 4, which ended in a 3-2 Colorado overtime win, did not come without controversy. Video replay appeared to show that Colorado had too many men on the ice when Nazem Kadri scored the game-winner. It looked like Kadri had made an improper line change seconds before Nathan MacKinnon made it back to the bench.
The call was not made. The official NHL response said the penalty is a judgment call and the goal stood.
Now, the two-time defending champ Lightning are on the ropes and the Avalanche are on the verge of winning their first Cup since 2001. Colorado coach Jared Bednar wants his team to feed off the nerves and emotions.
“You always hear about controlled emotion. I’m kind of the opposite with our team,” Bednar said on Friday. “Besides running around and getting out of our game plan, I want us to use our energy and nervous energy and emotion to go play the game with passion, play hard and stay on our toes and getting after it.”
Pregame looks
The Avalanche went with some stylish looks in front of neon lighting for their walk to the arena, while the Lightning looked bright and optimistic despite their deficit.
Our own #ContentKing setting the tone. #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/u8pb70sqUW
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) June 24, 2022
In the zone. #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/tAxPCZyhU8
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) June 24, 2022
Beauty legends. #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/FYrOZrr8jS
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) June 24, 2022
Dialed in. #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/7QxKGJnWFn
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) June 24, 2022
The Cup is rested and ready
I’ll be in the building on Friday.
— The Stanley Cup (@StanleyCup) June 23, 2022
Good morning. pic.twitter.com/n85Tc0IpCy
— The Stanley Cup (@StanleyCup) June 24, 2022