Andre Burakovsky gives Avalanche thrilling overtime win over Lightning in Game 1 of Stanley Cup Final
since capping a sweep of Edmonton in the Western Conference final on June 6, jumped out to an early 3-1 lead in front of a raucous home crowd.
The Tampa Bay Lighting, winners of not only the Eastern Conference but also the past two Stanley Cups, leveled the game in the second period with back-to-back goals in 48 seconds, including one at the end of a dazzling sequence from wingers Nikita Kucherov and Ondrej Palat.
When the Lightning killed off a frantic final 1:24 of regulation following a Pat Maroon delay of game penalty, Game 1 delivered a deserved overtime.
Burakovsky, though, ended it quickly and moved Colorado within three wins of its first championship since 2001.
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Who will win the Stanley Cup:Colorado Avalanche or Tampa Bay Lightning?
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Other pivotal Game 1 moments:
The Avalanche blast out of the gate
Colorado winger Mikko Rantanen hit the post on a blistering shot in the opening 90 seconds in what might have seemed like a golden early opportunity gone awry. But instead, it stood as a message that Colorado was ready from the jump.