Hockey world reacts to Lightning joining back-to-back Stanley Cup club

Sportsnet Staff @SportsnetJuly 08, 2021 - 12:26am

Tampa Bay Lightning's Steven Stamkos hoists the Stanley Cup after the team's 1-0 victory against the Montreal Canadiens in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals. (Bruce Bennett/AP)

The Tampa Bay Lightning have joined an elite club.

Having clinched the Stanley Cup after defeating the Montreal Canadiens 1-0 in Game 5 of the Final, the Lightning became the ninth franchise to win back-to-back Cups.

That feat, coupled with their overall playoff domination in recent seasons, led to an outpouring of congratulatory messages on social media.

Lightning now have 70 playoff wins in the last seven seasons, the best run since the 2009-15 Blackhawks.

Before that you have to go back to the 1996-02 Red Wings and Avs to get that many. Pretty special team.

— James Mirtle (@mirtle) July 8, 2021

The goal tonight is scored by Ross Colton and the primary assist goes to David Savard. They are the two Lightning players on the ice who did not win the Stanley Cup last year.

— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) July 8, 2021

Tampa Bay outshot the Canadiens 13-4 AND outhit them by 25-16 margin in the first period. Pretty indicative of how much they were flying around and holding the puck for nearly the entire first 20 minutes

— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) July 8, 2021

15-0 in the playoffs after a loss, in winning two Stanley Cups, is really something. @TBLightning

— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) July 8, 2021

Every #TBLightning player is taking a full lap with the #StanleyCup and who can blame them? Totally different feeling in here tonight than when they won inside the bubble in September.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 8, 2021

Tampa has turned into title town in the last year and a half.

Their pro teams – the Lightning, Buccaneers and Rays – have made 4 finals appearances and won 3 titles in 4 seasons since the start of 2020.

Prior to that, those franchises had two titles in their histories. pic.twitter.com/eo6PPIQ7mW

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 8, 2021

congratulations to the tampa bay lightning & their fans. an absolutely stacked team in every facet. welcome to the back to back club! pic.twitter.com/5wq1chJnrw

— ego (@notmalkinego) July 8, 2021

Congrats to the Tampa Bay Lightning for winning back-to-back championships … just as the Tompa Bay Bucs are about to do.

— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) July 8, 2021

"I just stood there and chewed gum" – Jon Cooper after coaching the Lightning to back-to-back Stanley Cups

— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) July 8, 2021

The Lightning Stanley Cup hats have camo because they don't want you to notice the cap

— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) July 8, 2021

But there was plenty of love for the Canadiens after a magnificent playoff run and their first appearance in a Stanley Cup Final since 1993.

What a season for our @CanadiensMTL! You've kept us on the edge of our seats during these playoffs – and we can't wait to see you here again next year. #GoHabsGo

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) July 8, 2021

The fans should be incredibly proud of these Canadiens. All heart. The most memorable edition of the franchise in well over two decades.

— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) July 8, 2021

Memories I’ll cherish forever. Merci @CanadiensMTL pic.twitter.com/SZ8Kg8UDpe

— Peter Alper (@peteralper99) July 8, 2021

Well, that’s a huge bummer. Congrats, Lightning fans. What a team. What a goalie.

So proud of the @CanadiensMTL. What a gift they gave us this spring/summer. A run we’ll never forget. The drive for 25 is on hold but they’ll be back. Les Canadiens sont toujours là.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) July 8, 2021

Hell of a run by the #Habs – always the underdogs and never thought to have a chance, they believed in themselves and surprised the hockey world. Yes, this one will sting for a while but the #Canadiens should be very proud of their playoffs.

— Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) July 8, 2021

Thank you @CanadiensMTL for giving us an unexpected run full of joy & excitement through the hardest time of so many of our lives so heartbroken for the players but so proud. I love this team #GoHabsGo

— stefi laguë (@stefilague) July 8, 2021

What an amazing run by the @CanadiensMTL and @CP0031. Proud of every single one of you. Thank you for the amazing memories this season. #GOHABSGO

— Phil (@Huet39Price31) July 8, 2021

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