Avalanche drop home opener 6-4 against Columbus to start the season 0-2

DENVER, CO – The Colorado Avalanche exited the off season post training camp and knew that the start to the 2024-25 season was going to be a battle with significant absences in their lineup. It was made clear, and laid out from management, coaches, and players, that it was going to need to be a grind and a full effort top to bottom to perform and advance even while they wait for the cavalry to arrive.

But with two games played already this season, and still no timeline on the cavalry, Colorado has been outscored 14-8 despite outshooting their opponents both games. They quite frankly should be 2-0 right now based on areas of their game that have been good.

Is it time to push the panic button? No. Do things need to be better. Absolutely.

If the Avalanche are going to survive, say these first 20 games while they hope for the return of some key pieces one thing was clear, they would need great goaltending, not just good goaltending, and certainly not sub par. And right now, sub par is being generous.

For the second straight game Alexandar Georgiev, who it has been made clear is starter, has gotten the nod, and in both outings, it was a short night. In the season opener against Vegas, he gave up 5 goals on 16 shots (.688 SV%). Last night against the Blue Jackets, the start was worse. After a low shooting affair over the first 10 minutes, the Blue Jackets would score twice on three shots with the goals coming about a minute apart.

The reigning Hart Trophy winner Nate MacKinnon, who was presented with the hardware in a pre game ceremony by fellow MVP from across the hall, Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, was the bright spot in the first. He cut the lead to just a goal on a PP tally with 8 seconds to play in the period that gave a sellout Ball Arena crowd some hope.

Hope that would be quickly dashed to start the second when Adam Fantilli made it 3-1 at 1:56, hushing the crowd aside from some echos of boo birds that preceded the end to Georgiev’s night. The 28-year-old was given the rest of the evening off after 3 goals on 9 shots (.667 SV%) for a two-game total of 8 goals on 25 shots (.680 SV%) to start the year.

Quite bluntly, that will not work and there is cause for concern. Clearly illustrated by visible player frustration and telling words by Head Coach Jared Bednar, who last night post game spoke about recognizing the need for it to be much better, and explaining that they are working on the mental side of it with Georgiev. In addition, after the 8-4 loss to Vegas, the Avalanche claimed Kaapo Kahkonen off of waivers, who at this time, is still waiting on immigration to clear.

The positive takeaway for the rest of the second period was the fight and persistence of the Avalanche. Immediately after the goalie change Miles Wood, and Casey Mittlestadt scored to tie the game. However, Columbus found the back of the net twice more as Justus Annunen dealt with his own struggles between the pipes and the period would close with the Avalanche down 2.

In the third period the Avalanche worked hard but despite some great effort, had little to show for it by means of shots or goals until Ross Colton brought it to within 1 at 18:40 with MacKinnon adding an assist and Maker as well for his second of the game. Colorado went with the extra attacker but a penalty on Mittlestadt for doing what he had to in order to prevent an empty net goal, would eventually lead to an empty net goal and a 6-4 final.

The Avalanche have work to do in all areas, but I’ll leave with positives. This team has fight and they have a coach that I believe has the right voice to keep the train on the rails. I was impressed by the play of Ivan Ivan (who picked up an assist) and also by Cal Ritchie who continues to look more and more comfortable as an NHLer. Also, Calvin de Haan did all the right things in my mind including generating offense and picking up an assist. He and Malinski have been a solid pairing and are a bright spot.

The Avalanche next face the New York Islanders and the return of Patrick Roy, the team’s Head Coach, on Monday evening at Ball Arena.