The Stanley Cup could be awarded at Amalie Arena for the second straight year. Here’s what both teams had to say ahead of Game 6:
– Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper doesn’t expect any lineup changes today, meaning Brayden Point will not join the team for Game 6. “It’s unfortunate because it’s a severe injury … he is still plugging along and trying to get better and if it goes seven, then who knows.”
– Point took part in Tampa’s optional morning skate, which featured close to a full lineup.
– Cooper on ESPN’s Charles Barkley, a friend of his: “He’s a special human being. He cares. For him to jump on board, not just with our team but hockey, is awesome.”
– Gabriel Landeskog, Nazem Kadri and Valeri Nichushkin all skipped Colorado’s morning skate, with Andre Burakovsky just making a brief appearance.
– Nichushkin was limping when walking into the building on Sunday. Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said he’s hoping to have Nichushkin in for the game tonight.
– On Buravkosvky, who has been out since Game 3, Bednar said “We’ll see.”
– Kadri, who played in the past two games after suffering a hand injury, left the rink without a cast for the first time.
– Avalanche forward Mikko Rantanen said he thought the team was nervous in Game 5, the first game with the possibility of winning the series. “I think the second time, it’s going to be easier.”
– The Tampa Bay Lightning are 8-2 at home during the playoffs, while the Avalanche are 8-1 on the road — with the lone loss coming in Game 3.
