On June 26, 2022, the Colorado Avalanche became the Stanley Cup champions for the first time since the 2000-01 season. Colorado defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in Game 6 of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final and prevented the Eastern Conference representatives from winning the title for a third straight season. The Lightning stepped up in Games 4 & 5 to bring the series to a 3-2 lead for the Avalanche. It appeared as if the Lightning would build on the momentum they generated from their Game 5 win and force a decisive battle back in Colorado when Steven Stamkos started scoring in the opening period. However, Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon took over in the second period with a combination of speed, skill, and the ability to draw defenders. He scored his team’s first goal and assisted the winning one from Artturi Lehkonen on an odd-man rush. On the other side, Tampa Bay appeared to lose its cool as they tried to go for a 3-peat dynasty. In the end, the Avalanche secured the title with their defenseman Cale Makar being awarded the Calder trophy for most points in the Stanley Cup playoffs.