Recap: Columbus outlasts Colorado in home-opener

Another double-digit duel didn’t go in the Avalanche’s favor.

The Colorado Avalanche opened up its season at Ball Arena with another loss, this time by the score of 6-4 at the hands of the Columbus Blue Jackets Saturday night. It’s the second loss to open the year for the Avs, and the first time they’ve started 0-2 since the 2014-15 season.

A lot of season is still left, but the Avalanche know they have their work cut out for them after a disappointing opening on home ice. Here’s how it all went down.

First Period

The action started early, with Zach Aston-Reese getting hit up high by Chris Wagner, kicking off a huge scrum with three penalties called on Wagner, Josh Manson, and Mathieu Olivier. Aston-Reese would not return to the game.

Nothing would come from the ensuing Columbus power play, but they would find the opener later on. Zach Werenski beat Josh Manson to the front of the net to tip it home for the lead.

Moments later, another ugly goal would get by Alexandar Georgiev. This time from a tight angle, he would be beaten near post by Kent Johnson’s shot to double the visiting team’s lead.

The Jackets nearly got a third thanks to Nikolai Kovalenko’s turnover right in front, but Georgiev was up to the task this time. It would swing momentum towards the other end of the ice, with Nathan MacKinnon finding Cale Makar on a beautiful cross-ice pass which was robbed by Daniil Tarasov.

It would only be a matter of time before Colorado broke through. After Ross Colton was tackled down with no penalty called, Sam Girard was tripped up by Cole Sillinger which was called. MacKinnon would open his account for the season with a whopping shot with just eight seconds left in the frame to cut the lead in half. It would also be the first NHL point for Ivan Ivan, getting the primary assist.

Second Period

Adam Fantilli added a third Columbus goal on just their ninth shot of the game. It beat Georgiev five-hole, and it was enough for Jared Bednar to pull him for Justus Annunen.

Just moments after the change, absolute chaos ensued. Miles Wood would pounce at the side of the net to bring the game within one. Then Damon Severson would take a slashing call, leading to Casey Mittelstadt’s equalizer on a rebound to tie it at three. But then Kirill Marchenko managed to sneak his shot over the pad of Annunen, the first shot he saw to regain the lead for the Blue Jackets 4-3. All these goals came in just the first 4:33 of the frame.

Parker Kelly nearly equalized himself right in front just moments later after the fourth Columbus goal too. But it wouldn’t be him or the Avalanche scoring the next goal, as Yegor Chinakov would find some space in front for a quick finish to make it 5-3.

Colorado would finally push back some. MacKinnon nearly showed his quintessential stuff by skating through two defenders which just glanced off of the blocker of Tarasov.

While they couldn’t muster up anything on a power play, they did have a chance from Colton and Nikolai Kovalenko right in front which was stopped on the line, even after a lengthy review. Hence, the home team had their work cut out for them down two going into the final frame.

Third Period

Tarasov would be kept busy early on, as he was on his backside with the puck laying in the crease, lucky for it not to end in the back of the net. He also beat Rantanen to the puck in open ice on a breakaway chance and just managed to do enough to hold him off.

Columbus would play a solid road period, shutting down the stars and getting the puck out of harm’s way more often than not. With the clock winding down quickly, it was in the road team’s favor to close it out.

The Avs pulled Annunen with 2:40 to go still down two looking for something special. They got one back from Colton on a beautiful passing play and had 1:20 left to get one more.

Colton was inches away from the equalizer from the same spot moments later with the net empty, but he hit the crossbar. At the other end, Mittelstadt was called for a questionable hold. It put the game to bed and was finished off by a Sean Monahan empty netter for a 6-4 final.

Takeaways

After one game, goaltending was the talk of the town. After game two, goaltending is still the talk of the town. Tonight was a great night for Georgiev to rebound and get back to what he’s capable of in the crease, just as he did in Game Two of the first round last season against the Winnipeg Jets. But again, it was a letdown as he was pulled after giving up three goals on nine shots. Annunen gave up a goal on the first shot he faced. He was okay throughout the rest of the game but was far from comforting for the Avs in the crease. The idea of recently-claimed Kaapo Kahkonen coming in as a starter once he passes through immigration is a realistic possibility, which is wild to say. We’ll see if it happens, and when he can provide some much-needed relief in net soon.

Of course, there is a lot more to a hockey team than goaltending. Still have to beat five other guys to get to the front of the net. The depth and defense of the team are not helping much either, and have been lackluster. When the Avs are already chasing games as is, getting help from everybody on the ice is key to getting back into games, and it’s just not happening at the moment. Getting outscored 14-8 in the first two games is not good. It’s the first time the Avalanche have started the season 0-2 since the 2014-15 season.

How about we focus on some good things? While the bottom six haven’t been great, Ivan got his first career point with the primary assist on Colorado’s opening goal and had a few looks on goal himself. MacKinnon opened his account and tacked on an assist as well, alongside Colton. Makar also had two assists. The opportunities and chances are there. It’s just a matter of putting things together to start winning hockey games. Now is a good time to do so with a stretch of seven games every other day.

Upcoming

Tonight’s game was the first of a four-game home stand for the Avs. Next up is Patrick Roy’s return to Colorado with the New York Islanders on Monday night. Puck drop is at 7:00 p.m. MT.