Lightning Strike Twice, Likely, WILL Strike Twice, Twice

The defending champion, Tampa Bay Lightning rode the brilliant goaltending of Andrei Vasilevskiy (40 saves on 41 Montreal shots) and a perhaps even more brilliant goal by Blake Coleman, a “backbreaker vs Montreal,” with ONE SECOND remaining in the second period, to (3-1) Montreal and take a (2-0) final round lead.

Per the headline, the Lightning, in their first (2-0) final as the other 3 were (1-1), have won the first two and now are say 12 to 1 “faves” (I gave in as always, called “Bell” Oh I can’t understand it “Mr. Watson” as to why others have, some worthy, but most not, while I HAVE NOT–and he and Ms. Alvari have TB and over 6 to 1 to “title”) to strike again, in the form of a repeat crown.

Anthony Cirelli, who OT’d the Isles out with an overtime in #6/2020 semis and assisted on Yanni Gourde’s “only and shorthanded goal” that 7’d them in this year’s semis, “opened,” a terrible sign for the low scoring Canadiens (they had squared their last 4 final round openers with game 2 wins, going on to win 3 of those series, all 3 series wins with 4 straight wins after the opening game loss) and their good but vastly over rated netminder Carey Price (Charlie Hodge, Rogo Vachon, not to mention Lorne “Gump” Worsley, Ken Dryden, Patrick Roy and Jacques Plante have titles, Price likely never will get one even if NBC and its “not allowing Canada” policy/fix, will relinquish its telecasts, unfortunately not before “allowing” “Lucky Sperm Club,”Kenny Albert to call one, after this one).

After the Habs, who before involvement in the 4 straight (1-1) final rounds, had been in 7 straight and 9 of 10 that were (2-0), tied the tilt on Suzuki’s goal, Coleman, who had the insurance goal in last year’s title clincher, with help from Barclay Goodrow, who made a great pass, scored his incredible goal. Game over, likely series over, Bell wins, I lose!

“B”lake Coleman, pictured above. Another “B’ as in “B”rayden Point, Tampa “B’ay’s “B”rady and “B”ucs. Add “B”iden as President (he likely will win his “bet” on the final with Mr. Trudeau, also what a betting winner this current President is!),”B”ama and “B”aylor as college champions and others.