All day, the Colorado Avalanche’s meeting with the Tampa Bay Lightning was being promoted as a litmus test — a measuring stick game — for the Avs. Colorado entered the night with the top goal-differential in the Western Conference; Tampa Bay had the top goal-differential in the East (and the league).
While one could say Colorado failed its litmus test. One could also just forget the game ever happened.
It was pretty bad.
The Lightning outclassed the Avalanche from start to finish, as the home team beat Colorado 7-1, dominating all facets of the game.