Denver — It’s no secret Tampa Bay has played more hockey over the past two years than any other team in the NHL.
That may — finally — be taking a toll on the two-time defending champ Lightning against the Colorado Avalanche, who took a much shorter route to the Stanley Cup Final and lead the best-of-seven series 2-0 going into Game 3 on Monday in Tampa.
“The shot blocking, the groins, the hips, the cuts, the bruises, playing every second night: That’s the toll," coach Jon Cooper said Sunday. "And so when you get to the end, even though it doesn’t look like they’re banged up, they’re missing guys, we’re missing guys.