Wayne Gretzky compares 2020 Lightning to 1980s Islanders as they look for third straight Stanley Cup

Tampa Bay Lightning is back Stanley Cup Final for third consecutive times and looking to complete the NHL’s first three-peat as the New York Islanders won four straight from 1980 to 1983.

is going to be a significant part of the comparison of islanders Story for Tampa Bay Heading In the final against the Colorado Avalanche and leading the accolade is Wayne Gretzky, as “The Great One”, the Lightning’s resilience was compared to the Islanders of the 1980s.

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“Their resilience is like that team, the Islanders of the 80s in the sense that, they can make you play skating, they can make you play defensive, they can play you physical. And like Billy Smith, Grant Fuhr Like, this goalkeeper ( Andrei Vasilevsky) is really special,” Gretzky In a story told to The Athletic Published on Monday.

“The bigger the game, the better he plays. He has in mind that he can’t lose. And his work ethic is exceptional. You see him play, he works hard every innings. He plays selflessly “

Two goals from Steven Stamkos propelled Lightning to Stanley Cup final: ‘We deserved to win the game’

Tampa Bay Lightning head coach John Cooper talks with the team during their play against the New York Rangers during the third period in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs on June 07, 2022 at Amalie Arena. Tampa, Florida.
(Mike Carlson/Getty Images)

Tampa Bay defeated the New York Rangers in a 2–0 loss in the Eastern Conference Finals. The team also suffered a 3–2 draw against the Toronto Maple Leafs before coming back to win the first-round series.

Even when inflicted with injuries, power breaks frequently. Braden Point hasn’t played since the Game 7 win over the Maple Leafs, while others have taken their bumps and bruises.

Lightning coach John Cooper said, “When you knock, when you get knocked down too many times and the team still comes back, you know you have something. It just took us a while,” Lightning coach John Cooper said. Told, via Tampa Bay Times, “And know they’re back and they just keep coming back. Backwards. Backwards.

“It’s great to be a part of it. But it takes a lot of faith, a lot of courage, and a master to take a group to the bottom to be together.”

Steven Stamkos #91 and Tampa Bay Lightning head coach John Cooper celebrate their series win against the New York Rangers following game six of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena on June 11, 2022 in Tampa, Florida.
(Mark Lomoglio/NHLI via Getty Images)

Colorado will have a tough job stopping the Lightning’s veteran offense and getting through to goalkeeper Vasilevsky. Avalanche swept away Edmonton Oilers On his way to his first Stanley Cup appearance since 2001.

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Game 1 is scheduled for Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET in Denver.