The Tampa Bay Lightning’s first game coming out of the all-star break was a matchup between teams expected to make deep runs in the postseason.
Yes, it was just one of 82 against a non-conference opponent, but the way the game played out with its frenetic pace, exemplary display of skill and wild ending certainly gave it a playoff feel.
In the end Thursday night, the Lightning couldn’t come through with a tying goal with an extra attacker, falling 3-2 to the Avalanche. The teams’ first meeting in October needed six rounds of shootouts to end in a Colorado victory.
