:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69502249/1325328020.0.jpg)
The 2021 NHL season is rapidly coming to a close and soon we will have a Stanley Cup champion. The Stanley Cup Semifinals are currently underway and Thursday brought us our first finalist as the Montreal Canadiens eliminated the Vegas Golden Knights in six games. The Canadiens will face the winner of the semifinal series between the Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Islanders.
The Canadiens have won a league-high 24 Stanley Cups, but their last championship came in 1993 when they beat the Kings in five games. This is their first appearance in the Stanley Cup Final since that championship. They made two prior conference finals appearances but came up short in the semifinal round. This marks the franchise’s 35th appearance in the league’s championship round.
The Lightning and Islanders are tied 3-3 after New York claimed Game 6 at home. The two teams will play Game 7 in Tampa on Friday evening.
UPDATE: The Lightning beat the Islanders 1-0 in Game 7 to clinch the other spot in the Stanley Cup Final. This is the franchise’s fourth trip as they look to repeat as champions.
Stanley Cup Finals matchup
Montreal Canadiens
vs.
Tampa Bay Lightning