The 2022 Stanley Cup Triumph

Lore & Background

The series began on June 15, and concluded on June 26. With the Government of Canada allowing cross-border travel for fully vaccinated players and team personnel between Canada and the United States, the league was able to return to its usual two conference alignment and reinstate its standard playoff format that was used from 2014–2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. The Final series were still pushed from the usual start date in late May/early June for the third consecutive year, this time due to a scheduled break in the regular season that coincided with the league's planned participation in the 2022 Winter Olympics, though the league's players ultimately did not participate in the Olympics. When NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman tested positive for COVID-19, NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly took over the presentation of the Conn Smythe Trophy and the Stanley Cup. This was the first time since 1992 that Gary Bettman did not give the presentation.

In Their Own Story

The arena lights hummed over the ice in Tampa Bay, casting long shadows across the blue paint. The air was thick with tension as the Avalanche players gathered for a final huddle before Game Six. There were no grand speeches, just nods of understanding between veterans and rookies alike. When the puck dropped, it wasn't just about points; it was about bringing the Cup back to the Rockies.

Reader's Guide

This was Colorado's third appearance in the Final. They won their two prior appearances with their most recent against the New Jersey Devils in 2001. Mikko Rantanen led the team in points, scoring 92 overall. Goaltender Darcy Kuemper started 57 times for the Avalanche, obtaining 37 wins in the process. However, during Game 1 of their Conference Final series, Kuemper left the game with an upper-body injury. Backup goaltender Pavel Francouz finished the opening game after replacing Kuemper and started the remaining games of the series as a result. During the off-season, the Avalanche traded for Kuemper and defenceman Kurtis MacDermid. They also picked up free agent Darren Helm. They re-signed defenceman Cale Makar, captain Gabriel Landeskog, and Francouz. Nearing the trade deadline, the Avalanche acquired Josh Manson, Nico Sturm, Artturi Lehkonen, and Andrew Cogliano. The Avalanche finished the season with 119 points via a record, grabbing the Central Division title and first place in the Western Conference. Colorado swept the Nashville Predators in four games during the first round, then defeated the St. Louis Blues in six games during the second round, before sweeping the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference final.

Did You Know?

• The Avalanche defeated the Lightning four games to two in the best-of-seven series, earning their third Stanley Cup championship in franchise history and first since 2001.
• This was the first time since 1992 that Gary Bettman did not give the presentation of the Conn Smythe Trophy and the Stanley Cup.
• Corey Perry appeared in his third straight Final with three different teams (Dallas Stars in 2020, Montreal Canadiens in 2021, Tampa Bay Lightning in 2022), the first player to accomplish this feat since Marian Hossa.

Franchise Resurgence and Historic Droughts

The Carolina Hurricanes secured their second championship in franchise history, overcoming the Vegas Golden Knights to claim the trophy. Their triumph was particularly notable given the collapse of previous powerhouses; the two-time defending champion Florida Panthers failed to qualify entirely, marking a rare instance where consecutive Presidents' Trophy winners missed the postseason. Simultaneously, several franchises ended long periods of exclusion. The Buffalo Sabres broke an NHL-record 14-year playoff drought, while the Philadelphia Flyers and Anaheim Ducks returned after five and seven years respectively. Conversely, the Toronto Maple Leafs saw their historic streak end, failing to qualify for the first time since the 2015–16 season.

Dominant Playoff Performance by Carolina

The Carolina Hurricanes displayed unprecedented dominance throughout their championship run, setting new benchmarks for efficiency in the postseason. Entering the Stanley Cup Final with an impressive 12–1 record, they became the first team to achieve such a mark since the 1975–76 Montreal Canadiens. Their overall playoff campaign concluded with a 16–3 record, representing the fewest losses by a champion since the 1987–88 Edmonton Oilers. This performance underscored their status as the Eastern Conference regular season champions and Metropolitan Division leaders. By defeating the Vegas Golden Knights in six games, they capped off a tournament where they lost only three matches total. Their ability to maintain such a high winning percentage against top-tier opposition distinguished them from previous winners, establishing a new standard for playoff excellence that few teams have managed to replicate in modern NHL history.

Western Conference Qualification and Expansion Success

The Western Conference narrative was shaped by the surprising success of expansion teams and the struggles of established contenders. The Utah Mammoth made immediate history by clinching their first playoff berth in just their second season, tying the record for the fastest expansion team to achieve this milestone alongside the Seattle Kraken. Meanwhile, the Colorado Avalanche entered the tournament as Presidents' Trophy winners with the league's best regular-season record, yet they were unable to replicate that success on the ice. The Pacific Division saw the Vegas Golden Knights secure their spot as division champions, eventually reaching the Final despite a competitive field including the Edmonton Oilers and Anaheim Ducks. The latter ended a seven-year absence from the postseason, contributing to a diverse mix of returning veterans and rising newcomers that characterized the Western bracket.

Eastern Conference Bracket Dynamics

The Eastern Conference playoffs featured intense matchups driven by divisional rivalries and wild card upsets. Despite Boston winning three of four regular-season meetings, the Sabres managed to defeat them in six games, highlighted by critical third-period goals from Tage Thompson and stellar goaltending from Alex Lyon. The wild card spots were claimed by the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators, adding layers of unpredictability to the bracket. This structure ensured that lower-seeded teams had opportunities to challenge division leaders immediately, creating a volatile environment where historical rivalries played out in high-stakes elimination games.