To say that the 2024-25 season hasn’t gotten off to a great begin for the Colorado Avalanche could be an understatement. Getting completely dealt with by the Vegas Golden Knights is one factor. Shedding 6-4 to the Columbus Blue Jackets is one other. And being drubbed 6-2 by the New York Islanders simply made all of it really feel worse.
Coming into this recreation with the Boston Bruins, the sense of urgency was palpable. Sadly, it wasn’t sufficient to repair the evident points the group is going through. Let’s dive in and have a look at the three most necessary takeaways from the Avalanche’s 5-3 loss to the Bruins.
It Wasn’t His Fault, however Cease Beginning Georgiev
In all equity to Alex Georgiev, he wasn’t as dangerous towards the Bruins as he has been in any other case this season. If something, his points have been certainly one of many who the group must work on however giving up 20 objectives in three video games to begin the season will get observed greater than anything.
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Georgiev wasn’t nice by any stretch of the creativeness – letting in 5 objectives on 24 photographs will do this – however the group protection actually let him down. There have been far too many probabilities this season the place Georgiev would have wanted to make a spectacular save to maintain a objective from taking place.
It is rather clear that the time for Justus Annunen to begin is right here. We received’t know whether or not he’s the reply or not till he performs and the willingness to stay with Georgiev at this level is simply baffling. The group desperately wants a lift, and it simply isn’t going to return with Georgiev tending the web.
The Offense Is Extraordinarily Unbalanced
It’s onerous to ask extra from the trio of Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Mikko Rantanen than what they’ve performed to this point. All three are within the prime 10 in scoring: MacKinnon and Rantanen have seven factors apiece whereas Makar sits tied for third within the NHL with eight factors. They’re as dominant as ever.
After that, it’s about as inconsistent as will be. Ross Colton and Casey Mittelstadt have been high quality with three factors apiece to this point. After that, nonetheless, it’s slim pickings. Solely a handful of different forwards also have a level, failing to make a lot of an affect on the scoresheet because the Avalanche are having to attain 5 or extra objectives simply to be in video games.
The Avalanche even have among the best energy performs within the league, which is able to assist over time, however there may be solely a lot the massive three can do. MacKinnon is a aggressive psycho however even the reigning NHL MVP can solely achieve this a lot to maintain the group from sliding into an extended dropping streak.
Group Protection Has Been Unhealthy
Although Georgiev will garner all the detrimental consideration, group protection has been a significant concern to this point this season as properly. Makar had an terrible turnover within the recreation towards the Islanders that led on to a objective. On this one, simply look to Charlie Coyle’s energy play objective late within the first interval to see how dangerous it has been for the Avalanche.
David Pastrnak’s objective to make it 3-1 was just about similar. Each occasions, the eventual scorer crept into the slot and simply tapped it into the open internet. You possibly can’t blame these objectives on Georgiev; somebody must be keenly conscious of the backdoor and at the least be considerably on guard. In each circumstances, it was completely uncared for.
Coming into the season, the protection was speculated to nonetheless be a robust level. Certain, Devon Toews being injured does them no favors however they had been nonetheless giving up a lot with him within the lineup. You possibly can’t ask Georgiev to get by this tough patch whereas the protection is taking part in as poorly because it has been.
Don’t Panic, However Positively Be Anxious
There may be sufficient expertise on this group to go on a run. MacKinnon, Rantanen, and Makar are adequate to nonetheless drag this group into the playoffs. That mentioned, it’s time to at the least begin elevating issues concerning the the rest of the season, particularly in a division as powerful because the Central.
Reinforcements will come ultimately however the place will the Avalanche be within the standings at that time? Being lifeless final within the league is dangerous sufficient however the minus-12 objective differential is straight-up terrifying. One thing has to present and it has to occur quickly. There may be solely a lot leeway within the NHL earlier than issues begin to grow to be a significant downside.
