Ryan McDonagh is back in the Stanley Cup Finals

For the second straight year a former Wisconsin Badgers men’s hockey player is guaranteed to hoist the Stanley Cup. Following a 1-0 victory over the New York Islanders on Friday night in Game 7, Ryan McDonagh and the Tampa Bay Lightning are back in the Stanley Cup Finals. Earlier in the week Cole Caufield and the Montreal Canadiens punched their ticket to the finals, thanks in no small part to Caufield’s four goals in the conference finals.

In a tightly contested Game 7, McDonagh helped the Lightning pitch a shutout. He blocked five shots while playing 22:10 minutes. He was on the penalty kill when Tampa Bay scored the only goal of the game, leaving him at plus one for the game, and he also added two shots on goal and was named the second star of the game.

For the series, McDonagh only had one assist but finished plus two and was on the ice a considerable amount all while making key plays to keep the Lightning alive. He also almost scored the goal of the playoffs but was denied at the buzzer in Game 4.

The defending champion Lightning will host the Canadiens in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals on Monday night at 7 p.m. CT on NBCSN. Appointment viewing for Badgers fans for the second straight year. Quite frankly, you love to see it.