Hasty playing from Colorado’s offense kept Tampa busy in a come-from-behind victory for the Lightning. After being shut out by Tampa a week ago it was no surprise that Colorado was out for revenge. What started out as a promising start for the home team quickly dwindled away as the night went on. While the power play came up short all night long, Bolts still managed to keep the game from slipping away and forced overtime in the process. Overtime could be described as choppy, but when the team needed Andrei Vasilevksiy the most he delivered in the shootout.
Home team scores first
To start off, Colorado wasted no time getting on the scoreboard. With Andrei Vasilevskiy screened in front, the top line of the Avalanche took advantage. Then, Lightning started to play better but were being outshot 6-3 at the time. First power play of the night would be awarded to the Lightning with just over 7 minutes played in the period. An aggressive penalty kill shut down the Bolts offense keeping the score 1-0 Avalanche. Game remained fast paced with both teams nearly identical in shots on goal.
Close calls
However, it was the home team who still had control of the game while Tampa looked to answer Alexander Georgiev. Ross Colton nearly tied up the game but ran out of room as the puck was wide of the net. As the period went on Tampa began to pick up some steam generating more scoring chances but still could not equalize. Next, Nathan MacKinnon nearly added to Colorado’s lead, but Vasilevskiy was able to make the save. Period ended with Colorado keeping the 1-0 lead.
Avalanche extend their lead
Right away Tampa would get their second power play of the night after J.T. Compher is called for high-sticking. Once again, Colorado kills off the penalty and the score remains 1-0. Hasty play of Colorado continued as they nearly score after the power play expired. Afterwards, Colorado would extend their lead with a goal from MacKinnon. Bowen Byram picked off a clearing attempt by the Lightning and then fed the puck to MacKinnon for the easy goal to put them up 2-0. Following the goal Colorado went on the power play for the first time tonight after Ian Cole is called for hooking. Just like Colorado, Lightning’s penalty kill gets the job done preventing the Avalanche from further extending the lead.
Killorn gets Tampa on the board
When it seemed like nothing would go right for Tampa a goal was finally delivered. On a 2-on-1 chance Brayden Point passed the puck to Nikita Kucherov who then chipped it in to cut the lead 2-1. In response, Avalanche remained hasty with a flurry of shots that Vasy was able to stop. Their momentum was quickly halted after giving up a tripping penalty. Again, Avalanche kill off the penalty and then would head on the power play. Before the penalty is called Compher and Killorn drop the gloves sending both to the box with Killorn heading there anyway for goalie interference. Corey Perry then served the minor penalty in place of Killorn. Bolts nearly had the tying goal before time expired, but the puck went off the post.
Hasty start leads to a trio of goals
On the opening face-off Tampa was quick to react and wasted no time to tie the game. Anthony Cirelli fired a snapshot from Steven Stamkos that beat Georgiev to even the score 2-2. Unfortunately, the hasty play that Colorado has showcased all night countered the Cirelli goal. Denis Malgin scored his first as an Avalanche to re-take the lead 3-2. The lead did not last long after Tampa mimicked Colorado in countering the goal. Vladislav Namestnikov tied the game up 3-3 with a flying backhanded shot. Frantic is the perfect word to describe the 3rd period after 3 goals were scored in the first 5 minutes.
A BEAUTY from Vladdy 😮💨@NewAmsterdam | #GoBolts pic.twitter.com/oC7hFZjJ05
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) February 15, 2023
Off to overtime
Lightning went on the power play for the 4th time with about 7 minutes to go in the period. At this point Tampa was 0/3 on the power play and that would become 0/4 after the penalty to Logan O’Connor was killed off. In the final 5 minutes both teams were vying for the go-ahead go but neither would be successful. Compher was left all alone after a Lightning breakdown, but Vasy was able to save the shot and keep the game tied heading into overtime.
Comeback completed
Choppy play would begin overtime with Tampa generating more chances at the start. That would continue as overtime went on as neither team could keep good control of the puck. A shootout would then decide the winner after an uneventful overtime. All in all, Stamkos was the lone scorer in the shootout completing the Lightning comeback with a 4-3 victory over the Avalanche.
Three stars of the game
1st Star: Steven Stamkos – Game-winning-goal in the shootout & 1 assist
2nd Star: Nikita Kucherov – 1 goal
3rd Star: Bowen Byram – 1 assist and 2 blocks
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