The start of the season has not been favorable for the Colorado Avalanche.
Not only are they 0-4, but they have also faced significant scoring challenges. In their first four games, the Avs have allowed 25 goals, averaging 6.25 goals against per game. While the team has scored 13 goals, their -12 goal differential is the worst in the NHL. They are one of only two teams with a double-digit goal differential, alongside the Edmonton Oilers, who have a -11.
Goaltender Alexandar Georgiev has come under scrutiny for his performance. The Belgian goalie has started every game but has struggled significantly. He was pulled from the first two games after allowing 17 goals, including four against the Boston Bruins on Wednesday night.
Currently, Georgiev has a goals-against average of 5.79 and a save percentage of .800. Although the sample size is small, these figures are not what you would expect from a playoff contender.
At the same time, the Avalanche’s offense, known for winning high-scoring games despite shaky goaltending, has not been able to compensate for Georgiev’s poor form.
On Thursday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, hosts Frank Seravalli and Tyler Yaremchuk discussed how the Avalanche’s struggles to outscore their opponents are highlighting issues in goal.
Frank Seravalli noted that the Avalanche previously demonstrated they could win the Stanley Cup with average goaltending, as seen in their 2021-22 season. However, he pointed out that this year’s team is different, citing significant erosion in their depth. He highlighted key players missing, such as Valeri Nichushkin, Gabriel Landeskog, Jonathan Drouin, Arturri Lehkonen, and Devon Toews. The current forward lineup looks significantly different from what fans have come to expect in Denver.
Seravalli remarked on the limitations the team faces in bolstering their roster, suggesting that while Georgiev is likely to rebound eventually, it may take time for him to achieve respectable numbers. He concluded that the Avalanche are in a challenging situation.
Leave a Reply