BOSvsCOL Archives - The Rink https://www.the-rink.com/tag/bosvscol/ Chicago Blackhawks and NHL Salary Cap Information Fri, 19 Jan 2024 04:07:11 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.3 https://i0.wp.com/www.the-rink.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/cropped-FavIcon_v3.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 BOSvsCOL Archives - The Rink https://www.the-rink.com/tag/bosvscol/ 32 32 136660061 Avalanche fizzle out in Boston https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-fizzle-out-in-boston/ https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-fizzle-out-in-boston/#respond Fri, 19 Jan 2024 04:07:11 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=28305 The last time the Colorado Avalanche played the Boston Bruins was just ten days ago in Denver. It seems so long ago as Colorado just wrapped up their fourth game... Read more »

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]]> The last time the Colorado Avalanche played the Boston Bruins was just ten days ago in Denver. It seems so long ago as Colorado just wrapped up their fourth game on the current road trip, with one to go. The Bruins would jump out to a quick lead, scoring only 44 seconds into the game. Boston would take over from there. Colorado would try to fight back, scoring one in the first and second periods, but they would fizzle out. Boston turned on their shutdown defense in the third, allowing Colorado to get four shots on goal. The 5–2 loss to Boston was difficult to watch, and here are the key takeaways.

Takeaways

— The defense continues to struggle in their own zone. This may sound like a broken record, but they continue to make big mistakes. The first goal scored by David Pastrnak, Cale Makar chased the man behind the net, drawing himself out of position. A similar situation occurred on the next goal. Sam Malinski found himself low in the corner and out of position. Alexander Georgiev went out too far on the play himself, but the other side of the ice was wide open for a pass.

— The top three forwards are being overplayed every game. Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Jonathan Drouin have all played over 21 minutes each of the last three games. All three of them played over 27 minutes each in Montreal two games ago. This is a pace that is not sustainable for even the best athletes in an 82 game season.

— Samuel Girard has been on fire since his return from the NHL Player Assistance Program. In his 10 games since his return, he has seven points (all assists) and is plus-6. He has been more aggressive in the play and shows even more confidence. Girard has been one of the best defensemen in the last ten games for the Avalanche.

Conclusion

Many people seem to think that Georgiev is the problem for the Avalanche. In a way, they are not wrong. But, the problem is also in front of him. The defense continues to have issues that fall back on Georgiev’s shoulders. Devon Toews and Makar can not do it all on their own. Malinski, for as little experience as he has, has been outstanding. Josh Manson has been getting better, missing most of last season because of injuries. But, that the Avalanche have 15 come from behind wins shows there is a problem in the overall defensive structure. The Avalanche play in Philadelphia on Saturday morning against the Flyers next.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-fizzle-out-in-boston/feed/ 0 28305 Avalanche seal victory in nail-biting match against Bruins https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-seal-victory-in-nail-biting-match-against-bruins/ https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-seal-victory-in-nail-biting-match-against-bruins/#respond Tue, 09 Jan 2024 06:29:15 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=28167 The last time the Colorado Avalanche played the Boston Bruins on home ice, the team comprised a sizable chunk of the Colorado Eagles roster. Though still missing several key players,... Read more »

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]]> The last time the Colorado Avalanche played the Boston Bruins on home ice, the team comprised a sizable chunk of the Colorado Eagles roster.

Though still missing several key players, fresh additions to the roster and a determination to secure a victory prevailed. Throughout the game, the team consistently improved its metrics, and their effort was reflected in the 4–3 nail-biter final score.

First period

After an 8–4 loss against the Florida Panthers on Saturday, the Avalanche needed to make sure they didn’t allow their opponent to pull ahead early.

The Bruins took advantage of their first power play opportunity 11 minutes into the period and put a goal on the board. Historically, the Avalanche have had a problem with allowing consecutive unanswered goals.

Five minutes later, Mikko Rantanen put his own power play goal on the board. Nathan MacKinnon’s assist lengthened his home point streak to 22 games. Cale Makar was credited with the secondary assist.

Colorado spent a considerable amount of time in the offensive zone, putting up 13 shots to Boston’s five.

Second period

The offensive attack was not just in the first period. Entering the second frame with a tie meant the team would have to continue to apply pressure around the goal.

Logan O’Connor did exactly that. He took the puck away from the Bruins and dumped the puck into the back of the net unassisted.

Now with the lead, the Avalanche were going to have to keep it. For eight minutes, they did.

Tied at two with only a few minutes left in the period, Sam Malinski came through and scored his second goal of the season to put Colorado back in the lead.

The Bruins caught up to the Avalanche in shots for the period, only trailing by one.

Third period, overtime, and the shootout

The last frame was both uneventful and problematic. Both teams are incredibly well matched, and Boston’s Brad Marchand’s second goal of the game would be the last goal scored in regulation.

Both teams desperately tried to score during the following 14 minutes of the third period. At the regulation buzzer, Colorado had a 12–8 shot advantage.

Alexandar Georgiev held the net down in overtime, saving all four of the Bruins’ shots when the Avalanche could only put up one of their own.

At the end of the overtime period, the pressure was at an all-time high. Georgiev saved all three shots from Boston, but the attempts from MacKinnon and Rantanen were unsuccessful. Finally, Valeri Nichushkin found the back of the net and secured the win for the Avalanche.

Takeaways

The most noticeable change on the ice has been the performance of Samuel Girard. After his return to the team from the NHLPA program, he has been more aggressive, both defensively and offensively. He has been putting up more shots, keeping up with and taking away opportunities from opponents, and he is a large reason for the success since his return.

Colorado really excelled in takeaways. The team had 17 takeaways, one of the most important being with O’Connor’s goal in the second frame. In their last game against the Panthers, they had seven takeaways, coupled with five giveaways.

Finally, a huge source of accomplishment is the number of hits the Avalanche applied. The team put up 20 hits, far outshining the nine from the Bruins. With this aggression and physicality, it allows the team to break up plays and stop potential threats.

The Avalanche will face off against the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday, Jan. 10.

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