from Larry Brooks of the New York Post,

- Speaking of the Lightning, the least interesting finals of the century produced the second-strongest Stanley Cup champion of the 2000s. Uncommon depth, both on defense and up front, superior goaltending, a group of marquee forwards, discipline and the ability to beat all comers at their own respective games constitute the links that bind the 2021 Lightning to the preeminent 2000 Devils.

No team in NHL history has ever matched Montreal’s Big 3 of the 1970s that featured Larry Robinson, Serge Savard and Guy Lapointe. But I dare say no team has ever presented a six-man defense equal to the Devils’ second Cup-winner, which featured Scott Stevens, Scott Niedermayer, Ken Daneyko, Brian Rafalski, Vlad Malakhov and Colin White.

These double-dipping Lightning come close (though they are not quite equal) with their group featuring Victor Hedman, McDonagh, Mikhail Sergachev, Erik Cernak, David Savard and Jan Rutta. When deep enough to go with Sergachev on the third pair, you’re onto something special.

- Yes, of course the Islanders should be in on Vladimir Tarasenko despite the convoluted cap situation general manager Lou Lamoriello would have to overcome, but the Devils simply have to be all in on the elite St. Louis winger who would be the perfect partner for Jack Hughes.

more notes like this...

As if the Rangers’ light return from the Lightning for Ryan McDonagh (and J.T. Miller) hadn’t been analyzed enough, along comes No. 27 with a Conn Smythe-worthy performance....