The Colorado Avalanche and the Winnipeg Jets were owners of maybe the most exciting game over the weekend. And they faceoff again for Game 2 tonight at True North Centre at 9:30 pm EST. As exciting as episode 1 of the “Whiteout” was, both teams have a lot to clean up. Goaltending and defense are the main focal points for this article, and the game itself, and for good reason.
The Colorado Avalanche Can’t Buy a Save in Game 1
If you told me the Colorado Avalanche scored six goals and only allowed 23 shots and still lost, I wouldn’t believe you. Especially against a Jets team that finished in the middle of the league in goals per game.
Game 1 perfectly suited the Colorado Avalanche. They started the game up 11-1 in shots and scored the first goal six minutes into the game. It was a fast-paced game, back and forth with a lot of open ice, and that is exactly the style the Avs want to drag you into. In my Game 1 preview, I told you the ultimate X-factor was Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. And when you score six goals on him, you have to win that game. Odds are you’re never going to get that many pucks past him again.
Colorado Avalanche Goalie Disappoints
This is where the issue lies. Alexander Georgiev. He allowed 10 goals in his final three games of the regular season and that leaky play bled right into Game 1. He allowed three goals on eight shots in the first period and another three goals on only six shots in the third period. Bad games happen.
But when your team scores six goals against the best goalie in the world you have to get a big save. Despite the firepower the Colorado Avalanche own, it is hard to buy into a Game 2 win, let alone a series win. Not if Georgiev can’t clean up some of these season-long issues.
The Winnipeg Jets Dig Deep and Grind Out a Win
On the Winnipeg Jets side of things, the resilience shown in the first half of the game has to build the confidence of the group leading into Game 2 tonight. After giving up the first goal, they quickly went up 2-1. Seven minutes later, it was 3-2 Colorado on a snipe by the likely MVP Nathan MacKinnon. One minute later it was 3-3, and that was the last time they would trail in the hockey game. Winning a game where you didn’t play your best hockey is a great position for the Jets to be in going into Game 2.
Depth was on full display as the Captain, Adam Lowry netted two and Kyle Connor netted two of his own.
The big story here, for me, was the play of Hellebuyck. It’s a weird stat line when you allow six goals but still saves 40. Hellebuyck is 4-0 against the Avalanche this season and playoffs posting a .930 SV% and a 2.50 GAA in those four games.
What to expect in Game 2
The Colorado Avalanche have to look at Sunday’s game as the one that got away. Georgiev will be between the pipes tonight, which means defensively, the Avs have to tighten things up. They have to minimize the high-danger chances Winnipeg was afforded on the weekend. The Jets don’t get off a lot of shots, to begin with, but the Avs have to reduce the number of point-blank opportunities that the Winnipeg enjoyed on Saturday.
That point rings true for the Winnipeg Jets as well. I expect a much tighter defensive game from both sides but given the six goals Hellebuyck let in during Game 1, I’m sensing an angry goaltender tonight. For that reason, I expect the Jets to fly to Denver up two.
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