The two-time defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning have faced plenty of adversity in their quest to win a third consecutive Stanley Cup. But now the Lightning have their biggest challenge yet ahead of them after losing the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final against the Colorado Avalanche.

After losing an overtime heartbreaker in Game 1, Tampa Bay got absolutely obliterated in Game 2, losing 7-0 to fall in an 0-2 hole as the series shifts to Florida. The Lightning were in a similar spot last series against the New York Rangers, but the Avalanche are a totally different beast.

Lightning captain Steven Stamkos delivered a strong message on the situation after Saturday's Game 2 loss, per The Athletic's Joe Smith:

“That was totally not acceptable, especially at this time of the year,” Stamkos said. “Listen, people are going to be watching this game tonight and probably think the series is over. But our group, we’re a very resilient group. So whether it’s one-nothing or seven-nothing or 10-nothing, it’s a loss in the playoffs and you’ve got to move on. We’ve got to man up as a team and as a person. Let’s get back home in front of our fans, and let’s see what we’re made of.”

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Tampa Bay got totally outclassed in Game 2, giving up three goals in the first period as star goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy struggled against the onslaught. It only got worse from there, and now we'll see if the Lightning heed Stamkos' words.

Again, they've been in this position before, but it's hard to see Colorado going down like the Rangers did last series. It's going to be quite a tall order to win four of the next five games, but this championship team shouldn't be counted out. We'll see how Tampa Bay responds on home ice.