McDonagh hopes surging Lightning can compete for Cup in 2020
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Ryan McDonagh is holding out hope that he and his team will have a chance to win the Stanley Cup this season.
"For what our team has done, how we set ourselves up and the additions we made ... you just hope and pray that there is a scenario where we can finish the season," McDonagh said in a video call Wednesday, according to The Athletic's Joe Smith.
McDonagh added it would be a "huge disappointment" if the season doesn't eventually resume.
The Lightning were among the NHL's top teams this year, compiling a 43-21-6 record before the pause. They earned more points than any other team since the calendar flipped, going 22-8-2.
Tampa Bay was one of the biggest buyers at this year's trade deadline, as it parted ways with two first-round selections and top prospect Nolan Foote to acquire forwards Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow.
Despite the NHL reportedly extending its self-quarantine period for players to at least April 15, McDonagh can still envision a return to the ice.
"(We'll) just be excited to, especially for our group, to be able to continue on our successful season that we’re having," he said, according to team beat writer Bryan Burns.
McDonagh believes players would probably only need 7-10 days to get back into game shape.
The 30-year-old recorded one goal and 10 assists across 49 games in his third season with the club.