Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Lightning out of 'mulligans' ahead of G5 vs. Avs

Written by 
Published in Hockey
Friday, 24 June 2022 13:04

DENVER -- The Tampa Bay Lightning know their quest for a Stanley Cup three-peat is one loss to the Colorado Avalanche away from ending.

"There are no tomorrows now. Like, this is it, and so there's no more mulligans. We've got to pull this one out," coach Jon Cooper said ahead of Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final on Friday in Denver.

The Lightning's overtime loss in Game 4 gave the Avalanche their 3-1 series lead and the chance to close out the series on home ice. Tampa Bay got the better of play for most of that 3-2 loss, but Colorado took over the game in overtime. The Lightning looked fatigued and beat up, as a handful of players battle injuries.

Forward Alex Killorn said the team draws energy from being in the NHL's final playoff round.

"You don't know how many times, if ever, you're going to be in this situation again. So guys are banged up, guys are bruised and maybe after this is all said and done, mentally we can tell you how draining it was. But right now, we've got to win one game, so that's kind of our perspective," he said.

Cooper could not rule out any of his injured players for Game 5. Center Brayden Point missed Games 3 and 4 in Tampa with a lower-body injury. Center Anthony Cirelli injured his arm in Game 4 but completed the game. Defenseman Erik Cernak left Game 4 after blocking a shot with his foot, but Cooper said "Cerny is feeling better. I'm pretty confident he's going to play tonight."

The Lightning lost both games in Denver to open the series. Game 1 ended in overtime, but Game 2 was a 7-0 blowout loss. Cooper said the altitude in Denver played a role in that second defeat.

"We just weren't used to it. You kind of get away with it early in Game 1. But think it probably stung us a bit in Game 2," he said.

The bigger issue for Tampa Bay in Game 5 will be getting to their game and not allowing the Avalanche to establish the pace of play. Cooper said that all comes down to the start of the game. The Avalanche scored multiple goals in the first 10 minutes of both games in Denver. The Lightning helped that along by taking some undisciplined penalties.

"Colorado, they've got a great crowd. The energy in the building is awesome. They feed off that first 5 or 10 minutes, and you really have to be engaged in your game. Because then they start getting momentum and, unfortunately, they scored early in these games. So kind of put us on our heels made us chase the game a little bit," Cooper said. "To me, that's a pivotal part of tonight, making sure that we're the ones trying to do some pushing here instead of them against us. Not giving up those early goals, not giving up those, really, power plays that should bode well in our favor."

Read 251 times

Soccer

Southampton vs Liverpool: Slot hails resilient win

Southampton vs Liverpool: Slot hails resilient win

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLiverpool boss Arne Slot praised his team for mounting a second-hal...

Vini, Mbappé connect as Madrid ease past Leganés

Vini, Mbappé connect as Madrid ease past Leganés

Kylian Mbappé ended his goal drought with a thunderous strike and midfielder Jude Bellingham scored...

Marta, Orlando Pride win 1st NWSL Championship

Marta, Orlando Pride win 1st NWSL Championship

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsKANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Barbra Banda's goal stood up as the winner to l...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Sources: Hornets' Williams out for rest of season

Sources: Hornets' Williams out for rest of season

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCharlotte Hornets forward Grant Williams sustained season-ending te...

'Phenomenal' Pippen Jr. shines in dad's ex-arena

'Phenomenal' Pippen Jr. shines in dad's ex-arena

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsScotty Pippen Jr. already had plenty of fond memories of watching h...

Baseball

Carty, 1970 NL batting champ with Braves, dies

Carty, 1970 NL batting champ with Braves, dies

EmailPrintRico Carty, who won the 1970 National League batting title when he hit a major-league-best...

Hays, Finnegan, Rodgers among new free agents

Hays, Finnegan, Rodgers among new free agents

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Outfielder Austin Hays and right-hander Kyle Finnegan -...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated