2020 has been a shit show to say the least but as a life long Tampa resident and fan, the Lightning have answered our prayers and delivered on one of the most memorable playoff runs in the history of the NHL. The NHL bubble proved to work almost flawlessly and came with it’s own set of unique challenges. Usually players need to worry about travel and away games but this time around they had to worry about back to back games, not seeing their friends and family and a very strict set of safety rules. Of course it would have been a better experience with fans but at the same time, the energy was nearly the same and the players were just as driven and motivated to bring home the cup to their city. My blood pressure was through the roof during this playoff run and that tells me that the intensity was still there, and then some. This will go down as one of the most historic seasons of all time for many reasons. Same goes for all the sports pushing forward during this pandemic.

Brayden Point. Brayden fucking Point. If he isn’t the most impressive athlete in the league then I don’t know who is. This dude is clearly on a different level than the field and simply five steps ahead. He is faster, smarter and just better. He ended the playoffs with a dominant 14 goals and 19 assists. The MVP though of course, was our boy Victor Hedman. The 6’6 defenseman put 10 pucks into the net and his presence was felt every time he touched the ice. Kucherov had 7 goals and a whopping 27 assists and came through in the clutch on a number of occasions. Not to mention, this was done without the El Capitan, Steven Stamkos. Watching him lift the cup was still satisfying because he has been the lifeblood of this team for over a decade. The Stars played us tough but it was clear that we were just simply the better team. The depth and chemistry of the 2020 Tampa Bay Lightning was too much for the league this year and it was proven in historic fashion.

You just love to see it. The 2004 Stanley Cup was a magical year in Tampa and this matches right up with that one. After all the overtime games and late nights, they pulled it off and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Sports continue to bring people together and give fans an escape from the bullshit that is going on in the world today. The NHL playoffs have a different intensity that some of the others don’t have and I am happy to say that I am a fan of the best hockey team in the world. And they reside in Florida… Imagine that… Not to mention, our Rays are the #1 seeded team in the playoffs at the moment. Sting em.

Thanks for reading and be nice to each other.