TAMPA, Fla. — Strong performances by goalie Semyon Varlamov and the Nathan MacKinnon-centered line carried the Avalanche to a 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night at the Amalie Arena.
In ending a four-game winless skid (0-3-1), Colorado got goals from MacKinnon and his left winger, Alex Tanguay, to forge a 2-0 lead and hold on behind Varlamov — who was bombarded at the end. MacKinnon and Tanguay both scored from goalie Ben Bishop's blue paint — exactly what coach Patrick Roy has preached during his team's poor start to the year.
The Avs jumped to a 2-0 lead before Tampa Bay ended a scoreless streak of more than 155 minutes late in the second.