Tampa Bay was the favorite for the first match of the series with Dallas, but could not confirm this status and scored only one goal, losing in the end with a score of 1:4. Note that in aggregate, “Lightning” scored almost twice as many shots at the opponent’s goal, but this did not bring significant results. John Cooper’s wards allowed the Stars to come too close to their goal and allowed them to shoot from clean ice, so that Vasilevsky could not even react. The Bolts themselves tried to score from the spot, but they were not particularly lucky on rebounds. We emphasize that in the third period the team even had three chances to excel in the majority, but they did not use any of them. By the way, the head coach noticed that his team woke up only in the final twenty minutes and found their game, but before that they could not do it. He also talked about the timing of the restoration of Stemkos and said that he is unlikely to be able to appear on the ice in the second fight. Without him Tampa’s game looks much worse.
The Nuggets fight to the very end, for which they must be given their due. To get to the final of the West, the team had to play 14 matches, although Michael Malone’s guys survived. Denver went to the Lakers, respectively, without problems. The previous game was completely dictated by the opponent, although Nikola Jokic tried to bring his teammates to his senses, but after a difficult series against the Clippers, there was simply no strength left. The Nuggets know how to surprise and we have already seen this. The main thing is to do it on time, but the level of the Lakes’ game is really impressive. The club needs to start taking risks, otherwise LeBron James and Anthony Davis simply will not leave a chance.
