Any doubt about whether the Colorado Avalanche would win the Stanley Cup Sunday in Tampa ended when Nathan MacKinnon was assigned his hotel room in Florida before Game 6.
The room number was 1787.
After the Avalanche downed the Tampa Bay Lightning, 2-1, to win their third Stanley Cup, MacKinnon said once he got that room he knew fate had destined the Avs to win on the road at Amalie Arena.
The number 87 is worn by Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby and MacKinnon took the room as a sign Colorado was going to capture the Cup. MacKinnon mentioned how much respect everyone has for the Penguins’ star.
Someone came over to Nathan MacKinnon and said “87”, Emily Kaplan asked him what “87” meant, says they knew they were gonna win once he got room 1787 (hotel room #), adds they all love Sid.
— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) June 27, 2022
The Avalanche got two goals in the second period to overcome a 1-0 deficit and played magnificent defense in the third, stifling the two-time Stanley Cup champs at every turn.
The Colorado goals came from Nathan MacKinnon, who had as Artturi Lehkonen scored the game-winning goal. Darcy Kuemper made 22 saves in the winning effort.
YOUR 2022 STANLEY CUP CHAMPS#GOAVSGO pic.twitter.com/F9Y06SubCT
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) June 27, 2022
This made an exacta for the Kroenke family in 2022.
Stan Kroenke is the owner of the Los Angeles Rams, who won the Super Bowl in February.
He owned the Avs until 2015 when the franchise was transferred to his wife, Ann Walton Kroenke.
Someone came over to Nathan MacKinnon and said “87”, Emily Kaplan asked him what “87” meant, says they knew they were gonna win once he got room 1787 (hotel room #), adds they all love Sid.
— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) June 27, 2022
The Conn Smythe Trophy for the MVP of the playoffs went to Colorado defenseman Cale Makar, who also earned the Norris Trophy for the league’s best defenseman in 2021-22.
This was the third Stanley Cup for the franchise, which last won previously in 2001.
FRAME IT. #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/nYbut9jvfH
— NHL (@NHL) June 27, 2022
