Avalanche rout Lightning to take 2-0 lead in Cup Final

Colorado Avalanche players celebrate a goal by Valeri Nichushkin as Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Nicholas Paul, left, skates past during the first period in…

Colorado Avalanche players celebrate a goal by Valeri Nichushkin as Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Nicholas Paul, left, skates past during the first period in Game 2 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final on Saturday, June 18, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/John Locher)

by: Tyler Bouldin

Posted: Jun 18, 2022 / 10:18 PM MDT

Updated: Jun 18, 2022 / 10:18 PM MDT

DENVER (AP) — The Colorado Avalanche overwhelmed the Tampa Bay Lightning 7-0 in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Valeri Nichushkin scored his seventh and eighth goals of the playoffs. Playoff MVP front-runner Cale Makar scored twice in the third period after failing to get a shot on net in the series opener.

Game 1 overtime hero Andre Burakovsky scored again and set up Nichushkin’s goal before leaving with injury.

The Lightning fell to 18-2 after a loss in the playoffs since the start of the first round in 2020.