NHL: defeated last year, Tampa Bay finally wins its second Stanley Cup - France 24

Edmonton (Canada) (AFP)

The humiliation suffered last year in the first round of the play-offs is forgotten: Tampa Bay has finally assumed its status as favorite to the end, winning the Stanley Cup for the second time in its history, at the expense of Dallas ( 4-2), Monday in Edmonton.

The Lightning, already crowned in 2004 and unfortunate finalist in 2015, clinched the fourth decisive victory at the expense of the Stars 2-0, at the end of the 6th game of the North American Ice Hockey League (NHL).

This epilogue came to end a season turned upside down by the coronavirus pandemic, which forced its interruption for more than four months.

Like the NBA which is currently finishing its basketball season at Disney World, the NHL has managed to resume its own behind closed doors, in two airtight bubbles at Covid-19, in Edmonton and in Toronto.

A success insofar as no positive case was deplored during the two competitions.

And at the end of these improvised play-offs according to a new formula to allow a maximum of teams to take part, 24 in this case, it is the Lightning who ended up lifting the imposing Stanley Cup.

A nice revenge for this franchise, which last year had in a first equaled the record for the number of victories (62) in the regular season, until then only held by the Detroit Red Wings, before being inglorious from the 1st turn of the play-offs, swept by Columbus.

The Blue Jackets stood again at the same stadium in front of the Lightning, who retaliated by qualifying (4-1), before dismissing Boston (4-1) in the semifinals, then the New York Islanders ( 4-2) in the Eastern Conference Final.

- Hedman MVP -

Once again favored by the forecasts against Dallas, Tampa Bay did not gamble despite a dry inaugural defeat (4-1), responding with three consecutive victories (3-2, 5-2, 5-4 after), before giving up the 5th game (3-2) after double extra time.

This only delayed his coronation.

Because during two-thirds of this N.6 match, he largely dominated the debates, therefore finding the fault twice.

Brayden Point opened the scoring for the Lightning, rebounding their first rebound attempt midway through the first half.

"I only tried to help the team the best I could. I couldn't be more proud of our group. We fought so hard, and it took everyone's efforts," said striker.

Blake Coleman doubled the mark after 7 minutes in the second half with a powerful shot from under the goalkeeper.

The Stars threw themselves on the Tampa Bay goal in the last period, but the Tampa Bay wall was impassable, Andrei Vasilevskiy repelling 19 shots, when it was not his defenders who were defending themselves on the edge of the body sacrifice, like Victor Hedman.

Author of 10 goals and 13 assists in 26 games, the latter was named MVP of the play-offs, while NHL boss Gary Bettman congratulated the champions of a season apart.

"The trials you have overcome to lift this trophy are incredible. Even more so this year. This Stanley Cup conquest will go down in history as one of the most difficult of all time. You should all be incredibly proud. It's a huge accomplishment, ”he said.

© 2020 AFP