In a high-scoring game very similar to Game One against the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference Final, the Colorado Avalanche fell short in a 7-6 final to the Winnipeg Jets. For the second straight postseason, the Avs are down 1-0 to start the first round.
It was competitive for all 60 minutes and could’ve and should’ve been different so long as goaltending was at least average. But, it was far from it for both teams in their own zones. Don’t expect the rest of this series to be as high-scoring.
First Period
Colorado came out of the room flying, testing Connor Hellebuyck and forcing some saves out of it. Eventually, their push would pay off with Valeri Nichushkin releasing a perfect shot to take the lead.
Zach Parise nearly scored a second moments later on a tip in front which was saved, but it was a sign of what was a phenomenal start for the Avs. They were outshooting Winnipeg 11-1 by the first TV timeout.
Eventually, this game decided to turn all hell loose with action all over the place. Josh Morrissey would score the first Jets goal of the series, wiring a puck through traffic and in past Alexandar Georgiev, which he had no chance on.
While Josh Manson had been great in the opening eight minutes alongside the rest of the team, he then became a liability. He threw a puck blindly into the slot from his own zone, leading to Vladislav Namestnikov grabbing the lead for the Jets.
The scoring only continued, with three goals in 1:06 – two by Colorado and one for Winnipeg. Miles Wood finally got the monkey off his back by equalizing it at two, jumping on a Jets turnover. Moments later, Nathan MacKinnon opened his playoff scoring with a brilliant shot past Hellebuyck. Finally, Mark Schiefele managed to beat Manson in front, who lost defensive awareness of his man. After all the madness, it was 3-3 heading into the intermission.
Second Period
Physicality became a theme, with Wood and Morrissey going at it after the latter of the two threw down Joel Kiviranta after the play ended. It gave defenders some more chances with open ice, with Manson and Neal Pionk both having respective looks in front go wide.
After a scare for Ross Colton who took a Cale Makar shot off the helmet, the Jets would capitalize. Adam Lowry found a gap in Georgiev’s padding to go five-hole on him for the lead.
Sean Walker created the first power play of the game for the Jets for tripping, but it was killed off. It did lead to sustained pressure from Winnipeg to end the period, but the Avs and Georgiev did enough, particularly on a point-blank save on Kyle Connor in front. Hence, Colorado had 20 minutes to work with down 4-3.
Third Period
Colorado got several good looks to start the frame, with MacKinnon hitting the post and Makar’s rebound blindly hitting Hellebuyck. The Jets reminder made a brilliant save on Casey Mittelstadt’s point-blank chance at the far post.
But yet, goals continued to leak through on the other side. Lowry got his second of the game unbelievably, hitting both posts and somehow curving and rolling on edge perfectly enough to fully cross the line and get the lead.
Power plays would then lead to the next few goals. With Nichushkin in the box for elbowing, Connor would get a nice shot from the far circle to make it 6-3.
Colorado kept pushing with a power play goal themselves, with Mason Appleton in the box for roughing after a scrum. Artturi Lehkonen would tip in Makar’s shot nicely and find some life for the Avs. But before you knew it, Connor got his second of the game to restore the three-goal lead.
Finally, a Dylan DeMelo tripping penalty led to another man-advantage goal for the Avs. This one would come from Makar himself rather than a tip, and once again bring the game within two goals.
Still fighting down two and with the net empty, Colorado kept on going. Mittelstadt bounced one in off of Brenden Dillon’s back and the post, and with 27.1 seconds left, there was a sliver of hope. But, it led to nothing in the end, and a wild game ended 7-6.
Yeti Takeaways
And we’re back to talking about goaltending. It just might be the make or break of this entire playoff series. This game showed Hellebuyck is certainly beatable, and the Avs did a great job showing it off in the first period with three goals in quick succession. If they keep up the same offensive prowess and speed as was demonstrated in the first period, they can compete in this series.
But on the opposite end, you absolutely positively need help from your goaltender. The Avalanche got none of it from Georgiev in this game. While the majority of the goals weren’t solely to blame on him, you need a save. They didn’t get many, especially with the Avs outplaying Winnipeg for a good portion of the game. Colorado outshot the Jets 45-23 and was ahead all game long in said category. Winnipeg ended with 1.38 goals expected but ended with seven. Georgiev’s final stats are 16 saves and a .696 save percentage. Ultimately, just a brutal showing in what was a winnable game on the other end of the ice.
Now to some of the positives from this matchup: Colorado went 2-for-2 on the power play, and were good in said department. They only allowed seven high-danger chances, but it seemed as though all seven of them were finished. Finally, Hellebuyck was beatable. Very, very beatable. Even if the Avs get proficient goaltending, they will certainly compete in this series – they showed their fight in this first game alone. The main question now is do they stick with Georgiev in net, or go somewhere else with a hopefully not ill Justus Annunen, or an experience-less Arvid Holm?
Next on the Mountain
Game Two of this series is on Tuesday night, with puck drop at 7:30 p.m. MT.