TAMPA, Fla. — The weather was nice, but the results were not.
For the first time this season, the Colorado Avalanche has lost back-to-back games in regulation after getting swept by the NHL’s two Sunshine State clubs. The Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Avs on Tuesday night, 4-2, at Benchmark International Arena.
Brandon Hagel scored on a one-timer from the right circle at 8:31 of the third period to help Tampa Bay regain the lead, and that proved to be the game winner. Anthony Cirelli added an empty-net goal with 1:25 left.
This defeat came two nights after Colorado dropped a 2-1 decision to the two-time defending champion Florida Panthers.