Hi, this is Fred Wallace with ” Off the Wire “,….. proudly sponsored by Pete’s Auto Body.
Pete’s Auto Body; because we care about our community….
On this the last day of June, the official midway point of the calendar year, we have Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final tonight in Tampa Bay.
The Lightning lead the best of 7 against Montreal; 1 game to none after winning the opener 5-1 on Monday night.
To some it’s appropriate as we inch towards Canada Day that we have a Canadian team playing for the NHL Championship.
No Canadian team has been to the Final since Vancouver lost to Boston in 2011.
And no Canadian team has won the Stanley Cup since the Canadiens did it in 1993.
Based on Game 1, you’d have to say the prospects for the Canadiens, and those who adopt them as ” Canada’s team “, aren’t great.
Tampa Bay carried the play and had possession of the puck at length.
The Hockey Night panel during the first intermission went to great lengths to show how aggressive Montreal was, but every highlight was in the Canadiens end and I’m fairly certain Tampa Bay is more than willing to take the hits if the puck is in the attacking zone.
Don’t think I’m selling Montreal short or writing them off.
Already the Habs have lost games against the Leafs and later to Vegas by scores similar to the margin that Tampa Bay won Game 1 by and obviously, Toronto and the Golden Knights are non-factors in the current Final.
I honestly believe Tampa Bay is the better team, But the Lightning have won just 1 game and NOT the Stanley Cup. Not yet.
For Pete’s Auto Body, I’m Fred Wallace.