Avalanche score seven, shut out Lightning in Game 2 of Stanley Cup Final
Nichushkin, Makar get two goals each to help extend series lead
They got two goals each from Cale Makar and Valeri Nichushkin and three assists from Mikko Rantanen to defeat the Tampa Bay Lightning 7-0 in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final at Ball Arena on Saturday.
"We played to our identity to a T tonight," Makar said.
Darcy Kuemper made 16 saves for his first shutout in 12 games in these Stanley Cup Playoffs and his second in 30 postseason games.
Andre Burakovsky had a goal and an assist but left with an undisclosed injury after the forward played two shifts in the second period.
The Avalanche lead the best-of-7 series 2-0. Game 3 is at Amalie Arena on Monday.
"I thought it was exceptional," Colorado coach Jared Bednar said. "I thought our guys played hard right from the drop off the puck. Highly committed on the defensive side of things. Dangerous offensively. We were tenacious on pucks, relentless puck pursuit. And that was throughout our entire lineup."
Andrei Vasilevskiy (23 saves) gave up all seven goals, the most he's allowed in his 100 playoff games.
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He allowed three on 11 shots in the first period, the second straight game he gave up that many in the first. Vasilevskiy did not allow more than two goals in the first period in any of his previous 98 playoff games.
Colorado became the third team in NHL history to score three or more goals in the first period in each of the first two games of a Stanley Cup Final, joining the 1981 New York Islanders and 1936 Detroit Red Wings.
"We left him out to dry tonight," Tampa Bay captain Steven Stamkos said. "We owe it to him to have a better game next game."
Lightning coach Jon Cooper said he did not think about pulling Vasilevskiy and replacing him with backup Brian Elliott.
"No," Cooper said. "He's the best goalie in the world, and we win together and we lose together. Even if I did, I don't think he would've come out. That's what a competitor he is and that's why he's the best."
Vasilevskiy is the only goalie to play for the two-time defending Cup champions in the playoffs since he was pulled after the second period in Game 1 of the 2018 Eastern Conference Final against the Washington Capitals on May 11, 2018.
The Lightning were also down 2-0 in the Eastern Conference Final this season against the New York Rangers and won the next four games to advance.
No team has won the Stanley Cup after trailing 2-0 in the conference finals/NHL Semifinals and the Cup Final.
"People are going to be watching this game tonight and probably think the series is over, but our group, we're a very resilient group," Stamkos said. "We get to go back home. We were in this position last round. So, whether it's 1-0 or 7-0 or 10-0, it's a loss in the playoffs and you've got to move on. We've got to man up as a team and as a person. You know, our team is going to do that. Let's get back home in front of our fans, and let's see what we're made of."
Nichushkin gave the Avalanche a 1-0 lead at 2:54 of the first period, scoring a power-play goal with a redirection of Burakovsky's pass.
Josh Manson made it 2-0 at 7:55 by leading a 3-on-1 rush and scoring from the right face-off circle.
The Avalanche had a 15-1 advantage in shot attempts less than 10 minutes into the period. Their speed was clearly a factor.
"The speed is what we like to stick to and we think that's how we have to beat them," Manson said. "They're a patient team. They have good structure below the top of the circles, so we just have to keep playing like that."
Burakovsky made it 3-0 when he scored on the rebound of Rantanen's shot at 13:52. It was Colorado's third goal on eight shots.
Nichushkin pushed it to 4-0 with a one-timer from the high slot at 4:51 of the second period.
Through two games in the Cup Final, Nichushkin has four points: three goals and an assist on Burakovsky's overtime goal in Game 1.
"He's a train for us," Makar said.
Darren Helm made it 5-0 on the rush from the right circle at 16:26.
Makar extended it to 6-0 with a shorthanded goal from the right circle off a 2-on-1 rush at 2:04 of the third period. He scored a power-play goal from the left circle at 9:29 for the 7-0 final.
"It was certainly as close to perfect of a game as you can get from your players," Bednar said.
NOTES: Makar became the second defenseman in NHL history to score a shorthanded goal and a power-play goal in the same Cup Final game (Glen Wesley, Boston Bruins, 1988). … Colorado forward Andrew Cogliano returned to the lineup after missing Game 1 recovering from hand surgery. He had two assists and was plus-3 in 12:45 of ice time. … The Avalanche became the third team in NHL history to have a shutout in the Stanley Cup Final by a margin of seven or more goals (Seattle Metropolitans, 7-0 in Game 1 against the Montreal Canadiens in 1919; Pittsburgh Penguins, 8-0 in Game 6 against the Minnesota North Stars in 1991). … Vasilevskiy has allowed seven goals once in the regular season, in a 7-3 loss to the Arizona Coyotes on Feb. 22, 2020, when he faced 41 shots.
