5 Takeaways: Lightning driven to the brink after Avalanche take Game Four in overtime

3. Colorado’s special teams continues to have their way against Tampa Bay’s

Throughout the series, Colorado has been able to move the puck around almost at will until they catch the Lightning penalty kill gassed and on their heels. And last night was no different as the Avs converted their first power play to tie the game 1-1 after controlling the puck in their offensive zone and keeping the same Lightning penalty killers on the ice, for over a minute.

Unless the Lightning see an immediate change in their special teams performance, it’s likely they will look back and see it as a prime reason this series did not go their way. Game Four was not anything extraordinary for either team’s special teams units, but the continued success of Colorado on the power play, 1-for-2, and the continued drought for Tampa Bay’s power play unit, 0-for-2, is looking like a decisive factor.

For the series, the Avalanche are 6-for-13, and the Lightning are 1-for-14 on the power play. More importantly, the Avalanche have a power play goal in each overtime game and the Lightning have none. Games One and Four have been won at the margin, and it’s been Colorado’s special teams success making the difference thus far.