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Stanley Cup finals could put Garth Brooks concerts at Amalie Arena in jeopardy

 
Country music star Garth Brooks is scheduled to perform two concerts June 6 at Amalie Arena in Tampa.
Country music star Garth Brooks is scheduled to perform two concerts June 6 at Amalie Arena in Tampa.
Published May 29, 2015

Garth Brooks may be one of the biggest musicians in history, but even he might not be able to take down the Stanley Cup finals.

The NHL on Thursday announced the schedule for the 2015 Stanley Cup finals and, depending on how this weekend's Eastern and Western conference finals shake out, Brooks' three-concert stand at Tampa's Amalie Arena could be in jeopardy.

Game 2 of the finals is scheduled for June 6, the same night Brooks is scheduled to play two concerts at Amalie Arena. But, two things have to happen for that conflict to come to a head.

First, the Lightning must (obviously) defeat the New York Rangers in tonight's Game 7 of the Eastern finals. If they do, then it comes down to the Western finals between the Anaheim Ducks and Chicago Blackhawks. Home ice advantage in the finals — and the honor of hosting games 1 and 2 — falls to the team with the most regular-season points. The Lightning had fewer points than the Ducks, but more than the Blackhawks.

So here are the scenarios:

1. Rangers win. No Stanley Cup finals in Tampa. The Brooks shows proceed as planned.

2. Lightning and Ducks win. Game 2 takes place June 6 in Anaheim. The Brooks shows proceed as planned.

3. Lightning and Blackhawks win. Tampa hosts Game 2 on June 6. What happens to Brooks' shows is up for discussion.

"At this point we are aware of a conflict presented by potential Stanley Cup Final game dates at Amalie Arena and we are presently working to address that conflict," Amalie Arena spokeswoman Angela Parone said in an email.