Avalanche loses fourth straight to begin four-game trip

Chris O’Meara, The Associated Press Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Peter Budaj (31) gets showered with ice after making a save on a shot by the Colorado Avalanche during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Tampa, Fla. TAMPA, Fla. — Avalanche captain Gabe Landeskog scored on his first shift in his first game back from serving a four-game suspension, but Colorado couldn’t keep pace with what is considered the NHL’s best team Thursday at Amalie Arena.

Tampa Bay captain Steven Stamkos had a goal and three points in the Lightning’s 5-2 victory — pinning the Avalanche with its fourth consecutive loss. Former Avs goalie Peter Budaj got the win for Tampa Bay, which has won…