Lightning congratulate Avalanche on Stanley Cup victory

For the first time since 2019, the Tampa Bay Lightning were congratulating someone else for winning the Stanley Cup.

The two-time defending Cup champions from 2020 and 2021, the Lightning took to social media after losing Game 6 of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final.
"Congrats to the Avalanche on a well-earned Stanley Cup win," the team posted. "'Twas a heck of a series."

The Avalanche beat the Lightning 2-1, behind goals from forwards Nathan MacKinnon and Artturi Lehkonen, to take the series and hoist the Cup.

The Avalanche went 16-4 in the playoffs, earning 72 wins on the year and tying the 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens, 1983-84 Edmonton Oilers and 1995-96 Detroit Red Wings for most wins -- regular and postseason combined -- in a season.
For the first time since 2001, the Cup is coming back to Colorado.