Recap: Avalanche can’t beat Connor Hellebuyck or the Jets

The Avs got blanked by Connor and the Jets.

It was Alexandar Georgiev and the Colorado Avalanche versus the Winnipeg Jets and Connor Hellebuyck. Who would come out on top between these central division foes? Could Georgiev return to his form against the Jets in last year’s playoffs? Or would the Jets get back at the Avs?

First Period

Things could not have started worse for the Avalanche with an early turnover from Josh Manson that turned into a two-on-one with just Girard back. Gabriel Vilardi put the puck past a sprawling Georgiev after Girard could not take away the pass. It was quickly 1-0 bad guys.

The Avalanche appeared to warm up after not registering a shot on net until the ninth minute of the opening frame. They gave up a late penalty after Lehkonen was called for slashing, and the Jets would carry 22 seconds of that penalty into the second period. Georgiev kept the Jets off the scoresheet as the period ended—a sign of future things.

Second Period

Colorado made quick work of that 22-second penalty kill and immediately got back on the front foot. Parker Kelly’s shot-blocking performance in Colorado’s last victory must have inspired his club as we saw Kovalenko and others sacrificing their bodies.

The Avalanche had multiple chances from a few different lines, but Connor Hellebuyck was big and in the way the whole time. It started to feel like it would be Hellebuyck’s night as chance after chance for the Avs was either saved or missed the net.

With just over four minutes left in the second, Devon Toews would head off for tripping, and the Jet’s number one power play got a chance to steal a period that was controlled in large by the visiting Avalanche squad. Fortunately for Colorado, having Toews in the box wouldn’t hurt them despite his unavailable penalty-killing abilities. Sam Girard and Logan O’Connor picked up the slack.

Third Period

The theme of Connor Hellebuyck making saves continued in the final installment of tonight’s game. He made a save on Cale Makar with his right pad, which felt like a sure-tying goal. He made a flurry of stops with traffic and chaos in front—nothing doing for the boys in burgundy and blue. The Jets would continue their torrid start and defeat Colorado via shutout right after blanking the Utah Hockey Club earlier in the week.

Takeaways

I know it’s not a hot take, but wouldn’t it be nice if Avalanche could start with the lead more often? If I’m not mistaken, I believe the Avs have scored first in all but one of their victories. I know it’s easier said than done, but good starts have been “the focus” since last October.

Connor Hellebuyck was as good tonight against the Avalanche as he’s been all season long. Although the Jets have gotten off to a crazy good start, it hasn’t necessarily been because Hellebuyck stole games. He stole the show in this one, with the crowd chanting his name.

Arturri Lehkonen’s immediate impact as a penalty killer and forechecking forward has made it abundantly clear that players like him make the Bednar system work. A team that works harder than their opposition defensively typically gets rewarded. Tonight was the exception, not the rule.

It wasn’t the way you want to start a game for Georgiev, even though there wasn’t much he could have done on that first shot and goal. What was important tonight was how he responded and finished. It was clear that Georgie was seeing the puck well midway through the first period, which remained one of the themes of the evening. He wouldn’t allow a goal after giving up one on the first shot.

Georgiev was the best he’s been all year. Hellebuyck was better.

Upcoming

The Avalanche will return home for a matchup with the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday at Ball Arena. If the Avs can beat an Eastern contender, they should feel pretty good about themselves, considering how many forwards they have on the mend.