It is solely becoming that in southwest Florida on Saturday evening there was wind, heavy rain, thunder and plenty of lightning. This a part of the nation is not essentially recognized for producing nice ice hockey expertise, however Tampa is unquestionably producing some nice ice hockey champions of late.

Followers of the Tampa Bay Lightning flocked to Amalie Area in shorts and hockey sweaters to observe their hometown Lightning defeat the New York Rangers, 2-1, to shut out Sport 6 of the Japanese Convention Last.

The Tampa Bay Lightning transfer on to the Stanley Cup Finals for a third-consecutive season, this time to face the Colorado Avalanche, who swept the Edmonton Oilers within the Western Convention Last.

Tampa Bay Lightning in Stanley Cup Finals
Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates with teammates Jan Rutta #44 and Ondrej Palat #18 after scoring a objective on Igor Shesterkin (not pictured) of the New York Rangers through the second interval in Sport Six of the Japanese Convention Last of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Area on June 11, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. Photograph by Julio Aguilar/Getty Photographs

The Lightning are two-time defending Stanley Cup champs, defeating the Dallas Stars in six video games through the 2020 COVID-delayed season, after which the Lightning put away the Montreal Canadiens in 5 video games in 2021.

Ought to the Lightning win hockey's title once more, they would be the first NHL staff to boost the Stanley Cup in three-straight seasons because the New York Islanders did it 4 years in a row from 1980-83. Solely 5 groups have ever gained the Stanley Cup three or extra consecutive seasons within the final 100 years.

The Toronto Maple Leafs did it within the 1947-49 seasons, adopted by the Montreal Canadiens (1956-60), Toronto (1962-64), Montreal (1976-79) and the aforementioned New York Islanders.

The Lightning can be the primary staff this century to boost the Cup three-consecutive years ought to they win. However making a three-peat is rarity inside itself for main sports activities in North America. Simply ask Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, who's gained seven Tremendous Bowl Rings, however by no means three in a row.

No NFL staff has gained three-straight Tremendous Bowls, however eight groups have gained it back-to-back, the final being the Brady-led New England Patriots within the 2003 and 2004 seasons.

The final time a Main League Baseball staff had a three-peat was the New York Yankees, beginning in 1998 and ending in 2000. The final three-peat earlier than them was the Oakland A's practically 30 years earlier from 1972-74. Earlier than then? The Yankees within the Fifties.

The NBA has the latest three-peat, which was the Kobe Bryant-led Los Angeles Lakers within the 2000, 2001 and 2002 Finals. Earlier than that was a pair of three-peats by Michael Jordan and Chicago Bulls from 1991-93 and 1996-98. Earlier than that was a prolonged run by the Boston Celtics within the Nineteen Sixties.

The Tampa Bay Lightning are on tempo to defy historical past ought to they win their subsequent collection, however they will need to do it towards the Avalanche, who've gained two Stanley Cups in solely two tries.

The very best-of-7 Stanley Cup collection begins Wednesday evening in Colorado, with the puck dropping at 8 p.m. ET. The sport may be seen on ABC or ESPN Plus. Sport 2 shall be Saturday in Denver earlier than it shifts again to Tampa for Sport 3 the next Monday.