Home is Where the MVPs Are
The Colorado Avalanche's home opener saw Nathan MacKinnon honored for receiving the Hart Trophy, but ended with more questions about the goaltending
As the saying goes, "You only have one chance to make your first impression." Regarding the 2024-25 NHL season, the Colorado Avalanche's first impression was a shaky one. On the bright side, Mikko Rantanen started the season with a hat trick. On the other hand, goaltending has been the key problem. Seven goals against, five of them from Alexander Georgiev. That has Avs fans in an unreasonable tizzy. It's Game One. There's 81 of these things to go. Give it time.
Game Two was the Avalanche's home opener, and before puck drop, Nathan MacKinnon was honored for capturing the prestigious Hart Trophy last season. Even more epic, the MVP's Trophy was presented by another MVP: Nikola Jokic. It was an amazing moment seeing the two MVPs and champions in Denver sports together, and after the festivities, it was game time. The Avs were playing against the Columbus Blue Jackets, and yes, during the game, I made sure to look at the "13" patch on the Blue Jackets' jerseys--a tribute to Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau.
The goaltender matchup was Alexandar Georgiev vs Daniil Tarasov, and a huge mess at 2:41 resulted in one Jacket and two Avs players penalized. The Columbus power play that resulted was killed off, but at 6:48, longtime stalwart Zach Werenski made it 1-0 for Columbus. Barely over a minute later, Kent Johnson made it 2-0--two Columbus goals on three shots. Not good. Avs nearly strike back in the middle of the period, but at the near end, the Avs get a power play. It succeeds. Guess who? The MVP. MacKinnon scored at 19:52, with the assists coming from Ivan Ivan and Mikko Rantanen.
It was 2-1 Jackets after 20 minutes, and in the period's second minute, Adam Fantilli made it 3-1, and that ended Georgiev's night. Justus Annunen came in again, and 15 seconds later, Miles Wood cut Colorado's deficit to one, and after that goal, the Avs received another power play, and it succeeded again. Casey Mittelstadt netted his second goal in two games, and the game was tied up. We could not enjoy it though, as Kirill Marchenko gave Columbus the lead back just 51 seconds after it was tied. Yegor Chinakhov added one of his own, and after 40 minutes, it was 5-3 Jackets.
The third period saw the Avs struggle with making a dent in our deficit, and time was running out. Annunen was pulled for the extra attacker, and with 80 seconds left, Ross Colton cut the deficit to one. So the Avs were in it. Annunen was pulled again, but Columbus answered with an empty net goal from Sean Monahan.
The Colorado Avalanche are in an unorthodox position: we are 0-2. The goals have come, but the goaltending hasn't. So-called Avs "fans" want us to get any goalie available. One dummy actually wants us to get Jordan Binnington, who is not only toxic as hell, he's a punching bag--everyone scores on him. Calm down. There's 80 games left. I recall the last time fans panicked over Georgiev, he ended up being a brick wall in the playoffs. So just stop it, already. Good grief.
This was the first game of our homestand. It continues on Monday against the New York Islanders, and after that, we host the Boston Bruins on Wednesday (on TNT), and the homestand ends against the Anaheim Ducks on Friday.
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About the Creator
Clyde E. Dawkins
I'm a big sports fan, especially hockey, and I've been a fan of villainesses since I was eight! My favorite shows are The Simpsons and Family Guy, etc.
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