As with every game, you take the good with the bad, so time to take a look at the pluses and the minuses in the game against the Nashville Predators for the Colorado Avalanche.
– Georgiev Loses His Cool
If you ask me, the Avalanche hung Alexandar Georgiev out to dry quite a bit in the first 21 minutes. Now, at some point, you need a save from your goaltender, but the team in front of him didn’t help a whole lot. On the opening goal, Cole Smith was wide open in the slot. Fabbro had all the time in the world on the third goal, and the fourth goal was a clear two-on-one from the far blueline. Colorado had plenty to clean up.
That being said, I don’t know if Jared Bednar was going to pull Georgiev after the fourth goal. I looked down at the bench right after and Justus Annunen wasn’t moving. Once the refs called Georgiev for unsportsmanlike conduct (shot the puck over the glass), that’s when Annunen got off the bench and started warming up.
I didn’t see the puck get shot over the glass myself because I was watching the bench, but Georgiev has lost his cool a few times this year. Back in December, he gave Sam Malinski a whack after the Avalanche defenseman was screening him on a goal against the Jets. Georgiev wasn’t available to speak after the game, but has spoken in the past about needing to control his emotions on the ice. That’s something he’ll need to work more on.
+ The Jonathan Drouin zone entry on the winner
I mean, just look at this. It’s perfect. No assist for Drouin on the play, but he did pick up two more points against the Predators.
That zone entry by Drouin 👀 pic.twitter.com/Y6kFAamHn1
— Evan Rawal (@evanrawal) March 31, 2024
+ Yakov Trenin
I asked Yakov Trenin on Friday if he was going to meet some former teammates for dinner later that evening, and he said he was waiting for a text.
Well, he looked like a guy who really wanted to beat his old team.
He got the start, and 10 seconds after the opening face-off, nearly scored to get things rolling. In the third, he was looking for a penalty shot after getting tripped on a mini-breakaway. In total, he was credited with three scoring chances, one of which was his game-winning goal at the end of the second.
On top of the chances, he continues to be a force on the penalty kill. Fantastic pickup.
– Losing Sean Walker
I didn’t see Walker take a shot to the ribs, but that’s what I’ve been told happened. I did see Walker skate off before a defensive zone face-off, slam the door at the bench, and head straight to the locker room. He didn’t look happy after whatever had happened.
After the game, Bednar said it was an upper-body injury and that they’re “hoping to get good news.” If he’s out, it would really sting, because he’s really made a huge impact since coming over from the Flyers. The Avalanche have Caleb Jones on the roster, but I would imagine we see Sam Malinski if Walker is set to miss some time.
Another concern is going to be how Ross Colton feels a day or two after taking that high hit. You never know when symptoms pop up.
+ Justus Annunen
I definitely think the Avalanche played better defensively after that fourth goal, so they cleaned some things up, but Annunen came in and shut the door, stopping every shot sent his way.
You can’t ask for anything more than that, right?
– Zach Parise
I just don’t think he’s looked as good since the injury. If you look at Colorado’s on-ice numbers with him out there, they do tend to spend more time in their own end than in the offensive zone. Prior to the second Nashville goal, Parise had the puck along the boards, but lost a battle, leading to a turnover. He did pick up a powerplay assist, but was out there for two goals against.
+ A New MacKinnon Streak
Keeping up with the scoring race in the NHL on Saturday was a chore. Connor McDavid leaped past everyone with a three point effort, then Nikita Kucherov picked up two points of his own. Nathan MacKinnon was not to be outdone though, picking up four points and starting a new point streak after the controversial way his historic one ended.
I have no clue if anyone can hold off McDavid at this point, but MacKinnon’s four point night does put him back on track to potentially match Peter Stastny’s 139 point year.
+ Another 100 point season for Mikko Rantanen
Three assists on Saturday gave Rantanen his second straight 100 point season, making him the sixth player in franchise history to do it twice. Again, Rantanen’s skill is taken for granted a bit, but he’s elite. He also took an absolute beating in front of the net from the Predators.
– Not Making Up Ground In The Division
The Avalanche are 8-1-1 in their last 10 games, and yet, they can’t seem to catch the Dallas Stars for first in the Central. That’s because the Stars simply won’t lose, as they’ve won seven in a row.
The division could really come down to the final matchup of the year between these two teams a week from today.