The Colorado Avalanche looked like they were going to skate away from their visitors on Wednesday night. Up 3-1 after the first period following strong efforts from Gabriel Landeskog (one goal and an assist to go with it) and Mikko Rantanen (two assists), they had a decisive edge and would be able to see it out against two-time defending champ Tampa Bay, right?
Wrong, the Lightning made them work for everything, and they only just about prevailed in the end, winning 4-3 in overtime as Andre Burakovsky found the net 1:23 into hand his team a crucial Game 1 victory that they had nearly let slip through their fingers. The Lightning did what they seemingly always do by fighting back with aplomb, scoring twice in 48 seconds in the middle of the second period to equalize the contest and eventually force the extra period. Unfortunately for them, they hit a bit of a wall after that effort, and they were forced to settle for a close loss in the end. However, that will certainly send the message to the Avs that they can’t take any position for granted against this Tampa side. Game 2 will take place on Saturday in Denver as well, as the Lightning looks to even up the series before it moves to Florida.
