Twice in Game 4 the Bolts failed to make a one-goal lead stand up.
Tampa Bay led from the onset with Anthony Cirelli putting them in front 36 seconds into Game 4. After a Nathan MacKinnon power play goal tied the game at one early in the second period, Victor Hedman answered five minutes later to put the Bolts once again in front. Again, the lead wouldn't last, as the Avs tied the game at 2:53 of the third, when the puck took a lucky deflection off Andrew Cogliano in front of the Lightning net.
Tampa Bay barely touched the puck in overtime, getting outshot 11-3. That the game extended past the midway point of the extra session was due in large part to Andrei Vasilevskiy standing on his head for long stretches. But eventually the Avs broke through when Kadri cut to his forehand and lifted a shot into the upper portion of the net.
It's now back to Colorado for Game 5 on Friday night with the Lightning needing a win to keep their season alive.
Scoring Summary
1st Period
TBL 1, COL 0
0:36 Anthony Cirelli (3) - Erik Cernak
An ideal start saw the Lightning grab the lead 36 seconds into Game 4. The play began with a Ryan McDonagh point shot that was deflected but fought off by Darcy Kuemper. The Avalanche couldn't control the round in the slot and were forced to clear the puck towards the near wall. Erik Cernak stepped up and let loose a slapshot that knocked Kuemper's helmet loose. Because Anthony Cirelli grabbed the loose puck and scored before Colorado could gain possession, the referees correctly allowed play to continue, giving Tampa Bay an early 1-0 advantage.
2nd Period
TBL 1, COL 1
5:17 Nathan MacKinnon (12) - Mikko Rantanen, Cale Makar - PPG
After scoring twice in Game 3, Colorado's power play got them on the board again on Wednesday. Andrei Vasilevskiy made a pad stop on Mikko Rantanen's initial shot, but the rebound deflected into Tampa Bay's net off the skate of Nathan MacKinnon.
TBL 2, COL 1
10:42 Victor Hedman (3) - Jan Rutta
The Bolts would go back in front five minutes later on an impressive individual effort from Victor Hedman. With the puck on his stick, Hedman built speed through the neutral zone and cut wide on Jack Johnson to the right circle. From there, Hedman flung a backhander on net that Kuemper couldn't keep out of his net.
3rd Period
TBL 2, COL 2
2:53 Andrew Cogliano (3) - Nico Sturm, Darren Helm
Darren Helm's shot from the far wall was tipped on goal by Nico Sturm and turned aside by Vasilevskiy's left pad. Sturm stayed with the play, however, and flipped a shot back toward the net that deflected in off Andrew Cogliano.
Overtime
COL 3, TBL 2
12:02 Nazem Kadri (7) - Artturi Lehknon, Darcy Kuemper
The game ended at 12:02 of overtime when Nazem Kadri beat Vasilevskiy with a well-placed shot off a rush. With Tampa Bay changing, Artturi Lehkonen worked the puck ahead to Kadri at the blue line with speed. Kadri cut around Mikhail Sergachev to his forehand and lifted the puck over Vasilevskiy for the game-winner. There was some brief confusion, as no one could locate the puck, but it had tucked itself into the top part of the net and stood as a good goal.
