The Latest Breaking News from Andrew Cogliano

DENVER — Point to any number of shortcomings as a primary reason for the Avalanche’s dramatic malfunction toward the halfway point of the 2022-23 season: injuries, lack of organizational depth, a short offseason catching up in the form of fatigue.

The emotional high of Alexandar Georgiev’s season was aired on television after the seventh game. Two months and 30 games later, the low-point was also visible for everyone to see.

DENVER — Luck?

TAMPA, Fla. — Through all the experience this Lightning team has drawn from, all the times they have rallied from deficits (in games and series) this postseason, they now face their toughest challenge.

Andrei Vasilevskiy and Tampa Bay were thumped 7-0 by Colorado, losing not only the game but their cool and their mojo in the process.

Can the Lightning make it three Stanley Cups in a row?

DENVER — The Avalanche injury update on Thursday was perhaps as good of news as fans could have hoped.

Colorado’s Josh Manson zipped a game-winning shot past Blues’ goalie Jordan Binnington for a stunning 3-2 overtime victory at an electric Ball Arena Tuesday night. Manson’s shot from the top came midway through the first extra period of Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.

The postseason slogan is “Find A Way.”