Preview: The Avalanche hope to rebound against Patty Roy and the Islanders

Colorado looks to avoid going 0-3 to start the 2024-25 campaign.

Things have gotten off to a rocky start in Colorado, with the Avalanche dropping their first two regular-season contests. The same is true for their opponent this evening, the New York Islanders. Fans at Ball Arena hope to see Colorado’s first regular season win after a frustrating loss to the Blue Jackets. The visiting Islanders look to spoil that and bounce back after a 3-0 shutout loss to the Dallas Stars. Will Islanders head coach and Avalanche legend Patrick Roy return to Colorado and emerge victorious?

Colorado Avalanche

The glaringly obvious talking point heading into tonight is whether it will again be Georgiev’s net despite him being chased in both starts so far. Jared Bednar says, “Georgie is our guy,” so don’t expect Justus Annunen or newly acquired Kaapo Kähkönen to be between the pipes.

Let’s talk about the rest of the team, which honestly seems to be doing pretty well outside of giving up some early-season rush chances and suffering from some poor coverage. With so many fresh faces on the squad, these things should clear up as the year continues, but what excites me is what’s already showing up outside of the results.

Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, Devon Toews, and even Josh Manson have stuck out to me as thriving in the first two contests. It’s only time before Cale Makar breaks out again, and we’ve seen some good things from young Nikolai Kovalenko, Cal Ritchie, and Ivan Ivan. I think if skaters can get a few saves, this club should fare well, even with their availability woes.

Perhaps Colorado can get more out of Casey Mittlestadt, who is just two points shy of his 200th career tally. Cale Makar’s breakout could come tonight, as he has 14 points in eight career contests against the Islanders. Keep an eye on Makar, especially on the Avalanche powerplay, which is currently tied for the most efficient man-advantage in hockey.

Projected Lineup

Nikolai Kovalenko — Nathan MacKinnon — Mikko Rantanen
Ross Colton — Casey Mittelstadt — Callum Ritchie
Miles Wood — Parker Kelly — Logan O’Connor
Ivan Ivan — Chris Wagner — Joel Kiviranta

Devon Toews — Cale Makar
Sam Girard — Josh Manson
Calvin De Haan — Sam Malinski

Note: There is nothing to confirm, but I’m assuming forward Jonathan Drouin’s upper-body injury will continue to hold him out for tonight’s game.

New York Islanders

The Islanders got a fresh start last season after hiring Patrick Roy as their head coach midway through the season. Patty hadn’t been in the NHL as a coach since his tumultuous departure from Colorado’s staff. Still, he’s back, and the Islanders could be, too, after an unexpected late-season push and a playoff appearance last season.

On paper, the Islanders don’t have a particularly frightening lineup. Still, the top line is plenty talented, and the Islanders (especially with Roy at the helm) are known to play a pesky and defensively engaged style. The Avalanche will have their hands full tonight, as I’m sure the Isles would love to get on for the Gipper at his old stomping grounds.

Projected Lineup

Anthony Duclair — Bo Horvat — Mathew Barzal
Maxim Tsyplakov — Brock Nelson — Kyle Palmieri
Anders Lee — Jean-Gabriel Pageau — Simon Holmstrom
Casey Cizikas — Kyle MacLean — Oliver Wahlstrom

Adam Pelech — Ryan Pulock
Alexander Romanov — Noah Dobson
Mike Reilly — Scott Mayfield

Goaltenders

I, for one, don’t expect anyone but Georgiev tonight, but I am incredibly concerned about netminding in Colorado this season. If things don’t turn around quickly, the Avalanche aren’t in an excellent position to acquire a new netminder. In my opinion, that’s what’s being said when Bednar says, “Georgie is our guy.”

Essentially, Colorado can get this without sacrificing a forward of substantial quality, and that would just be cutting one’s nose off to spite one’s face. The Avalanche aren’t able to leverage forward depth they don’t have, and the same holds true on the backend. It’s ride or die with Georgie or pray that Annunen or Kähkönen emerge in a way no one can predict. The most outstanding goalie in franchise history will be on the opposing side, looking on as his jersey hangs in the rafters. No pressure.

Ilya Sorokin is the unconfirmed starter for the Islanders, and if that is the case, it will be his first start in the new season.

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