Avalanche Win Game 4 in Overtime, Take 3-1 Series Lead

The Colorado Avalanche needed more than 60 minutes, but they got the win in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final.

After dropping Game 3 on the road, the Avs came into Game 4 looking to take a commanding lead over the two-time defending champions.

The Tampa Bay Lightning carried the play in period number one, beginning with a goal 36 seconds into the game by forward Anthony Cirelli. The Bolts outshot the Avs 17-4 in the opening frame.

In the second period, the Avalanche scored a fluky power play goal that went in off the skate of Nathan MacKinnon. Victor Hedman answered that goal a few minutes later with one of his own to give his team a 2-1 lead at the second intermission.

The lone goal of period three belonged to Colorado, making Game 4 the second contest of the Final to require extra time.

The Avalanche earned their second OT win of the Final in Game 4.

Overtime began with some fast-paced action, which led to some high-quality opportunities at both ends. At about the 12-minute mark, it was forward Nazem Kadri who, in his first game back since having thumb surgery earlier in the postseason, won the game for the Avalanche.

Colorado did a great job weathering a storm early in the game and coming out strong in the second half of regulation and overtime. Goaltender Darcy Kuemper looked a little shaky on the Hedman backhand goal, but overall, he played one of his best games this postseason.

For the Lightning, this 3-1 deficit will be the toughest test they have had to overcome in any of the last three postseasons. What makes Game 4 so disappointing for the Bolts is that they followed the formula they’ve used to win, yet they didn’t get the result they were looking for.

Andrei Vasilevskiy was solid in goal, making some key saves in big moments. The first period was also great for Tampa, which is usually the case in victories. In losses, the Lightning have given up a pile of first-period goals.

Game 4 looked and felt like it was played in a way that would have enabled the home team to even the series. Instead, it’ll be win-or-go-home games for the Lightning the rest of the way.

The Stanley Cup will be in the building on Saturday night when the Avalanche have a chance to clinch their first title since 2001.