After six weeks of arduous playoff hockey we are down to two clubs playing for the Stanley Cup. While one of teams, the defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning, was expected to be here, the other, the Montreal Canadiens have made a Cinderella run to pretty much shock the hockey world.
The Lightning will be heavy favorites to repeat, however, If Carey Price continues to play at a high level and Montreal’s penalty kill continues to excel, the Canadiens could continue to surprise and capture the 25th Cup in franchise history.
Due to this season’s covid-related realignment. this will be the first meeting between the two Atlantic Division teams. Game 1 will be key to the Canadiens chances of an upset as the Lightning have not lost following a postseason defeat in two years, so Montreal most likely needs to play with the lead in the series to increase its chance of winning.
How they got here
Tampa Bay defeated the Florida Panthers in six games, the Carolina Hurricanes in five games, and then squeaked out a Game 7 win over the New York Islanders.
Montreal rallied to defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs in seven games, swept the Winnipeg Jets, and then pulled off a six-game win over the favored Vegas Golden Knights.
Game 1: Montreal Canadiens at Tampa Bay Lightning 8 p.m. NBCSN
Get your pregame on at Raw Charge and Eyes On The Prize
Remainder of the 2021 Stanley Cup Final schedule
Game 2: Wednesday, June 30, 8 p.m., Canadiens at Lightning, NBCSN
Game 3: Friday, July 2, 8 p.m., Lightning at Canadiens. NBC
Game 4: Monday, July 5, 8 p.m., Lightning at Canadiens, NBC
Game 5: Wednesday, July 7, 8 p.m., Canadiens at Lightning, NBC (if necessary)
Game 6: Friday, July 9, 8 p.m., Lightning at Canadiens, NBC (if necessary)
Game 7: Sunday, July 11, 7 p.m., Canadiens at Lightning, NBC (if necessary)
New signings
The Canadiens forward Brandon Braddock to a one-year, two-way contract extension. Braddock put up two goals and five points in 25 AHL with the Laval Rocket in 2020-21. (Eyes On The Prize)
LBC Poll
Who will win Game 1 of the SCF?
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 22 |
| Montreal Canadiens | 5 |