Harry How/Getty Images
Saturday night was one to forget for the Tampa Bay Lightning, who were embarrassed by the Colorado Avalanche 7-0 in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final at Ball Arena in Denver.
It was an all-around disappointing effort from the Bolts, who were widely expected to bounce back from an underwhelming 4-3 overtime loss in Game 1 on Wednesday. Instead, they’ll head back to Amalie Arena in an attempt to climb out of an 0-2 hole in the series.
Bolts netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy received the brunt of the criticism on Saturday night for allowing seven goals on 31 shots. However, the team in front of him played just as poorly, if not worse.
The team finished with just 17 shots on goal through three periods as the offense was near invisible. The defense, meanwhile, had an extremely difficult time containing the speedy, highly-skilled offense of the Avalanche, frequently allowing breakaways and scoring chances.
Valeri Nichushkin (two), Josh Manson, Andre Burakovsky, Darren Helm and Cale Makar (two) all finished with goals for the Avalanche.
Tampa Bay’s performance on Saturday earned it some heavy criticism on social media, and rightfully so. Even legendary basketball sportscaster Dick Vitale weighed in on the game, asking if there was a mercy rule in hockey.
Ben Ross @BenRossTweets
One of the most embarrassing performances I’ve ever seen here from the <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/Lightning?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#Lightning</a>. Completely outclassed. It’s 5-0 but it should really be about 10-0. <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/Avs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#Avs</a> are a machine.
Jim Biringer @JimBiringer
When was the last time the Lightning have been outplayed and embarrassed like this? <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/gobolts?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#gobolts</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/goavsgo?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#goavsgo</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/stanleycup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#stanleycup</a>
Dean G @deanfense12
I agree with James here. The Avs are a different team and yes they look great but I will never ever count out the back to back defending champs in the Lightning. Colorado needs to do what the Rangers couldn’t do and steal a game in Tampa Bay whether it’s game 3 or 4 or even both <a href=”https://t.co/mGMp8bKx8b”>https://t.co/mGMp8bKx8b</a>
Hockey Settles All Disputes @HAXLEH
Someone better call the <a href=”https://twitter.com/TBLightning?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@TBLightning</a> and remind them there’s a game tonight. Not sure they remembered to show up against the <a href=”https://twitter.com/Avalanche?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@Avalanche</a>.
tmark @spikeydarklord
So the <a href=”https://twitter.com/TBLightning?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@TBLightning</a> were surprised by the <a href=”https://twitter.com/Avalanche?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@Avalanche</a> speed in game 1. ???? ???? ???? <br>They must REALLY be shocked now!<br>5-0 after 2. Vasilevskiy buried under an <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/Avalanche?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#Avalanche</a><a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoAvsGo?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#GoAvsGo</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/FindAWay?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#FindAWay</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeWantTheCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#WeWantTheCup</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/AvalancheWarning?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#AvalancheWarning</a>
It was a brutal showing from the Lightning, but it’s hard to already rule out the back-to-back defending champions, especially with the series set to shift to Tampa Bay.
The Bolts went down 0-2 to the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference Final and went on to defeat the Blueshirts in six games. The team’s resiliency and veteran leadership will surely be a factor in Game 3, and Saturday night’s shellacking should be all the fuel the team needs to reset.
Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final is set for 8 p.m. ET on Monday at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.
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