Avalanche lead Lightning after first period of Game 1 of Stanley Cup Final

The Colorado Avalanche offence was busy Wednesday night against the defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning as they scored three times to take a two-goal lead after the first period in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final.   

Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog opened the scoring with his ninth goal of the playoffs before Valeri Nichushkin netted his sixth to give the Avs a 2-0 lead over the Lightning.

Lightning forward Nick Paul answered moments later to bring the Bolts within one goal after one period of play. 

Tampa Bay was held scoreless during their first power play of the series as Josh Manson sat for two minutes for holding the stick.  

The Avalanche capitalized on a two-man advantage late in the first period to take a 3-1 lead with Artturi Lehkonen scoring his seventh of the playoffs.  

Darcy Kuemper, who is making his first start since his injury, steered away seven shots in the opening frame. 

Andrei Vasilevskiy countered with 12 saves on 15 shots.