Lightning can't overcome slow start in loss to Avalanche

A slow start for the Lightning on Thursday proved costly in their heavyweight matchup against the Avalanche at Ball Arena.
Tampa Bay came out lethargic in their first game back following the All-Star break and spotted Colorado a two-goal advantage before managing their first shot on net. Although the Bolts found their stride as the game wore on, they ultimately unable to battle back against the top team in the Western Conference, falling 3-2.

Both goaltenders were busy all night long. After going nearly seven minutes without a shot, the Bolts wound up forcing Darcy Kuemper to make 36 saves, including 16 in the third period as they pushed for an equalizer. Andrei Vasilevskiy faced a season-high 47 shots, stopping 44.
Having missed the three games leading into the All-Star break while in COVID protocols, Nikita Kucherov returned to the lineup, scoring a goal and skating the most minutes of any Bolts forward.
It'll be a quick turnaround for the Lightning, as they travel to Arizona on Friday to close out the back-to-back against the Coyotes.
Scoring Summary
1st Period
COL 1, TBL 0
2:43 Gabriel Landeskog (20) - Mikko Rantanen, Devon Toews
The Avalanche came out of the gates flying and were rewarded with the game-opening goal less than three minutes into the first period. Colorado's forecheck forced the Bolts into a turnover in their own, leading to Gabriel Landeskog's tip-in goal off Mikko Rantanen's point shot.
COL 2, TBL 0
6:16 Devon Toews (9) - Nazem Kadri, Erik Johnson
In the dying seconds of a brief 4-on-4 sequence, Nazem Kadri and Devon Toews were sprung on a 2-on-1. Toews drove hard to the far post and had his stick on the ice to redirect Kadri's feed past Andrei Vasilevskiy to double Colorado's lead.
COL 2, TBL 1
10:45 Nikita Kucherov (6) - Brayden Point, Jan Rutta
Nikita Kucherov got the Bolts going midway through the opening period with a beautifual goal off the rush. With speed in the neutral zone, Kucherov cut his way past J.T. Compher and dished to Brayden Point along the near wall. Kucherov then drove to the net and put home Point's return feed at the far post.
2nd Period
COL 3, TBL 1
1:56 Valeri Nichushkin (13) - Andre Burakovsky
Another 4-on-4 goal from the Avalanche early in the second period re-established their two-goal advantage. Before taking a big hit from Cal Foote, Andre Burakovsky worked the puck to Valeri Nichushkin, who headed up the ice on a 2-on-1. Nichuskin shot the puck himself from inside the left face-off dot and beat Vasilevskiy.
COL 3, TBL 2
15:54 Brayden Point (17) - Mikhail Sergachev
Mikhail Sergachev linked up with Point on a stretch feed to create a breakaway chance. In alone on Darcy Kuemper, Point lifted his forehand just underneath the crossbar to get the Bolts back within a goal.
3rd Period
No Scoring