GOTTA SEE IT: Burakovsky Wins Game 1 In OT For Avs In Stanley Cup Final

Four years ago, Andre Burakovsky assisted on Lars Eller’s Game 5 game-winning goal to clinch the Stanley Cup for the Washington Capitals. On Wednesday, he played hero again, this time scoring in overtime to lift the Colorado Avalanche to a Game 1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Stanley Cup Final.

Just 1:23 into overtime, Burakovsky got open in the offensive zone and wired a one-timer off a great feed from Val Nichushkin to lead the Avs to a 4-3 win over Tampa in Game 1. It marked Colorado’s first SCF win in Denver since 2001.

Here’s the goal that sealed the deal:

ANDRE BURAKOVSKY! THE GAME 1 OT HERO! #StanleyCup | #GoAvsGo | @Avalanche pic.twitter.com/D1DnEVkFs0

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 16, 2022

“It feels amazing. I think we really battled through this whole game,” the Swede told Emily Kaplan postgame, adding, “I think we bounced back. Awesome job by the boys.”

READ MORE ON WHN: Burakovsky Talks Capitals, Writing New Story With Avs & Return To Cup Final

The goal was Burakovsky’s second of the postseason, and he is now up to six points in 11 playoff games so far. He has dealt with a healthy scratch and an injury but impressed on the second line on Wednesday with a goal, a +/- of plus-1, three shots and a block through 12:34.

Burakovsky is the first player from the 2018 Capitals Stanley Cup-winning team to return to the Cup Final. This is also the second playoff series against Tampa where the 27-year-old has played hero and led the way to a win over Tampa. Back in 2018, Burakovsky struck twice in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final to send Washington to the Stanley Cup Final.

“This is dream since I was kid,” Burakovsky said to Kaplan.