Colorado Avalanche Show Offensive Outburst Defeating The Tampa Bay Lightning, 6-3

Mar 2, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Matt Duchene (9) attempts a shot on Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Ben Bishop (30) in the first period at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Colorado Avalanche (39-17-5, 83 points) earned their second consecutive win as they defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning Sunday night at the Pepsi Center, 6-3. Defenseman Nick Holden would score two goals, earning a plus/minus rating of +1.

The Tampa Bay Lightning would be the first team to score as Tom Pyatt would record his second goal of the season on the assists from Teddy Purcell and Sami Salo giving the Lightning the 1-0 lead late in the first period. Colorado would strike back less than a minute later as Tyson Barrie would notch his eighth goal of the season to tie it up at one. Paul Stastny and Nathan MacKinnon would pick up the points and MacKinnon extended his point streak to 11 games.

Ryan O’Reilly keeps on scoring for the Avalanche as he scored with under a minute to go in the first period, scratching his 23rd goal of the season for the 2-1 lead. P.A. Parenteau and Matt Duchene would get credited with the assists going into the intermission.

The second period would belong to Nate Thompson of the Tampa Bay Lightning. He would record a goal at the 6:40 mark collecting his seventh of the season on feeds from Michael Kostka and Matt Carle. With under three minutes to go in the second period, Thompson would strike yet again on what was almost the same exact goal to put the Lightning up 3-2 heading into the third. Michael Kostka would get credited with another assist.

At the 3:31 mark in the third period, Sami Salo would get called for a two-minute minor as he hooked Avalanche forward Ryan O’Reilly. Nick Holden would capitalize on the power-play chance, sniping it right by Ben Bishop to tie the game up at three apiece. Matt Duchene and Ryan O’Reilly were credited with the assists.

Erik Johnson (first game back from suspension) would collect his eighth goal of the season which was unassisted as he gave the Avalanche some cushion with a 4-3 lead. Tampa Bay would elect to pull their goalie with a minute remaining and Nick Holden would hit the back of the net for his second goal of the game. They kept Bishop out of the net yet again to try to get something going but Paul Stastny would find the empty-net for his 19th goal of the season on the assists from Nathan MacKinnon and captain Gabriel Landeskog for the 6-3 victory.

Three Stars:

3: Matt Duchene (COL): 2 assists.
2: Nick Holden (COL): 2 goals.
1: Ryan O’Reilly (COL): 1 goal, 1 assist.

The Colorado Avalanche (39-17-5, 83 points) return back to action Tuesday night as they head to the United Center to take on the Chicago Blackhawks. Puck-drop is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET, 6:00 PM MT.