Despitefacing a smothering style of play and defensive dominance from the Lightning, the Avalanche stayed patient and trusted their belief in the process to stay the course and ultimately arise victorious.
The Lightning skated out to a fast start as they executed the first strike just 36 seconds into the game and dominated the first period with a 17-4 shots advantage.
Just after puck drop and gaining possession, the Bolts charged into the Avs' defensive zone and cycled the puck. An Erik Cernak shot from atop the right faceoff circle was smothered by Kuemper, but on the play his mask fell off. As the netfront scramble ensued, Cirelli buried the loose puck over Kuemper's stick to give Tampa a 1-0 lead.
The Lightning didn't allow the Avalanche to record a second shot on net through 11 minutes of play.
The Avalanche got on the board early in the second period with their sixth power-play goal of the series. Hedman was sent to the box 3:57 into the frame for interference on Nico Sturm. On Colorado's man advantage, MacKinnon zipped a cross-slot pass to Mikko Rantanen where the Finnish winger put a shot on net. Vasilevskiy kicked out the save with his toe, but MacKinnon crashed the net and the rebound redirected off his skate and into the Lightning goal for the 1-1 equalizer at 5:17.