Avalanche’s Johansen scores twice in impressive victory over Lightning

During the game, Michael Eyssimont’s apparent score for Tampa Bay at 8:12 was challenged by Bednar for offside. Following a video review, the call was reversed.

Bednar explained, “We were pretty sure it was offside right away. Problem was you have the blue line cameras on both sides and it’s blocked on both sides. I was a little bit concerned that they might rule it inconclusive, but then we kind of got the top view of it and it looked offside to me, so we felt comfortable challenging.”

At 19:29 of the second period, Cirelli managed to cut the lead to 3-1 after receiving a stretch pass from Hedman and beating Georgiev five-hole on a breakaway.

In the third period, Valeri Nichushkin scored into an empty net at 16:46 for the 4-1 final result.

Lightning forward Brandon Hagel shared his thoughts on the game, stating, “I think the game was there for the taking right from the beginning, and I just think we didn’t pounce on that. I didn’t think we were executing to the way we know how to do. We’re able to get one with 40 seconds left (in the second), and then in the third we just couldn’t find a way.”

NOTES: Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon had two assists to extend his season-opening home point streak to 10 games (five goals, 13 assists). He’s the third player in Avalanche/Quebec Nordiques history to have a season-opening home point streak of at least 10 games, joining Peter Stastny (17 games in 1980-81, 10 games in 1987-88) and Mats Sundin (17 games in 1992-93). … Makar has 23 points (three goals, 20 assists) in 13 games in November. It is the most points in a single month by a defenseman in Avalanche/Nordiques history. … Nichushkin extended his point streak to eight games (eight goals, four assists). … Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov had an assist to extend his point streak to six games (four goals, nine assists).