COLvsLAK Archives - The Rink https://www.the-rink.com/tag/colvslak/ Chicago Blackhawks and NHL Salary Cap Information Sat, 27 Jan 2024 06:29:21 +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 COLvsLAK Archives - The Rink https://www.the-rink.com/tag/colvslak/ 32 32 136660061 Avalanche strong victors over Kings https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-strong-victors-over-kings/ https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-strong-victors-over-kings/#respond Sat, 27 Jan 2024 06:04:24 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=28360 Tonight, the Colorado Avalanche showcased a convincing performance with all four lines contributing both offensively and defensively, leaving the Los Angeles Kings no chance to find their rhythm. With Logan... Read more »

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]]> Tonight, the Colorado Avalanche showcased a convincing performance with all four lines contributing both offensively and defensively, leaving the Los Angeles Kings no chance to find their rhythm. With Logan O’Connor opening the scoring for the Avalanche, they remained strong for the entire 60 minutes, despite taking several penalties. Alexandar Georgiev was again unstoppable in net, making 25 of 26 saves. It was a testament to the way the Avalanche played. They kept the Kings to under 30 shots on goal in the 5–1 victory over the Kings.

Takeaways

— Logan O’Connor and his 2nd line team mates really have chemistry on the ice. With their combined speed and hockey IQ, they find ways for the others on the line to score. Tonight it was O’Connor. After a hat trick last two games ago, the team were passing to him in the last minutes in hopes he would put the third goal in the net, but it wasn’t to be. O’Connor now has an impressive seven goals in the last 12 games.

— Alexandar Georgiev is playing some amazing hockey, making key saves when there are defensive breakdowns. It was noticeable that he did not let many rebounds go back to the Kings for further scoring chances. Showcasing the work he has put in this season to up his game and be one of the best goaltenders in the NHL.

— Each of the Avalanche’s four lines contributed tonight. Whether that was with scoring or strong defensive players on every line were noticeable. Artturi Lehkonen, in only his second game back, had some good scoring chances, similar to his last game. Josh Manson stood up in defense and scored a goal. The top line was dynamic, as usual. Coach Jared Bednar would have to be happy with all the contributions.

— It was fortunate that Colorado’s power play units were dialed in. The Avalanche took several penalties, seven in total tonight against the Kings. Kurtis MacDermid was not happy with several of the calls.

Conclusion

Tonight was O’Connor’s night with Georgiev, a close second. I’m unsure if it is a good thing that the Avalanche get another long break now, because of the bye week and the All Star game. For some players battling niggling injuries, it might help as the team begins the push to the playoffs. Following the win and gaining two more points, the Avalanche now lead the Central Division. Colorado will not play again until February 5th against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-strong-victors-over-kings/feed/ 0 28360 Takeaways: Tired Avalanche fall in LA https://www.the-rink.com/takeaways-tired-avalanche-fall-in-la/ https://www.the-rink.com/takeaways-tired-avalanche-fall-in-la/#respond Mon, 04 Dec 2023 14:30:54 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=27809 The Colorado Avalanche were coming into the game against the Los Angeles Kings deadbeat tired. Colorado was playing their third game in four days, while the Kings were playing their... Read more »

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]]> The Colorado Avalanche were coming into the game against the Los Angeles Kings deadbeat tired. Colorado was playing their third game in four days, while the Kings were playing their first in five days. Not to mention, both of Colorado’s previous games went into shootout or overtime, so they played more than necessary already. Here are some takeaways from the 4–1 loss against the Kings.

Takeaways

— Sam Malinski can handle the second-pairing minutes on defense. With the injury to Cale Makar, they put Malinski into the lineup for only his second career NHL game. With 17 games played for the Colorado Eagles this year, he has proven himself to be very capable on the ice. He can hold points and jump into the play when required. His jump from 12 to 18 minutes in one game showed a lot of trust from coach Jared Bednar.

— The Kings knew when to turn up their energy on the Avalanche. Both teams held pace with each other until the third period. That is when the Kings fought hard and allowed only five Avalanche shots on net to their 23 in the period. The hosts scored three goals to seal the victory.

— Colorado’s puck management on the back end suffered noticeably without Makar. So far this season, Makar has played 23 games. Sunday would have been the 24th. The mobility of Makar and his speed put the other team on edge, similar to Nathan MacKinnon.

— To improve, the Avalanche should shoot more from the top of the slot or the blue line. This could have created chaos and more pressure on Cam Talbot. It would have worn him down a lot more, too. The shots were not coming with Makar out, and it was obvious he is a big driver of the offense on the blue line.

Conclusion

The Avalanche finished the road trip with just two points out of six. Makar got lost for an unknown time frame, and it sounds like others are also banged up. They now will get to head home and start a five-game home stand. The Winnipeg Jets are the sole team posing a threat. While Malinski is talented, the Avalanche require a shooting defenseman at the moment. Jack Ahcan or Brad Hunt may be a good option for that role. Either way, Colorado needs to rest up and then shoot more on net. The next challenge will be former Colorado Eagles’ head coach Greg Cronin. So far, he and his Anaheim Ducks are 1–1 against the Avalanche and he will want to make it 2–1.

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]]> https://www.the-rink.com/takeaways-tired-avalanche-fall-in-la/feed/ 0 27809 Avalanche open season with success https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-open-season-with-success/ https://www.the-rink.com/avalanche-open-season-with-success/#respond Thu, 12 Oct 2023 14:19:13 +0000 https://www.the-rink.com/?p=26881 The Colorado Avalanche kicked off the season with their new roster, opening the 2023–24 schedule on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Kings with a 5–2 victory. There was much to... Read more »

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]]> The Colorado Avalanche kicked off the season with their new roster, opening the 2023–24 schedule on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Kings with a 5–2 victory.

There was much to look forward to with the season opener, and all eyes were on Colorado’s first line, especially with the anticipated chemistry between Jonathan Drouin and Nathan MacKinnon.

Not only did Drouin and MacKinnon prove to be a dangerous pair, but MacKinnon’s opening goal only set the pace for a prolific night of hockey for the Avalanche.

MacKinnon was assisted by Drouin and Mikko Rantanen only 7:25 into the first period and it remained the only goal on the board for the rest of the frame.

Cale Makar opened up the second period with a goal assisted by MacKinnon and Rantanen, and his goal was later followed by Rantanen’s own, which was assisted by Devon Toews and MacKinnon.

The third period yielded two more goals. Rantanen started the period with help from Makar and Jack Johnson, but newcomer Miles Wood added to the lead and recorded his first Colorado goal on an empty net. Wood was assisted by Ross Colton and Tomas Tatar.

Though showing an efficient and aggressive style of gameplay, the forward nature of the game came at a cost. Overall, the team had an issue staying out of the penalty box and accumulated 19 penalty minutes.

In the first period, Valeri Nichushkin, Makar and Drouin all drew penalties. A scuffle in the second period left Logan O’Connor with a penalty for fighting, largely contributing to the overall time spent in the box. Makar and Kurtis MacDermid both acquired minor infractions in the second frame.

By the third period, Bowen Byram seemed to have a chip on his shoulder. He committed two back-to-back penalties for cross-checking and boarding.

However, the Avalanche did not struggle with the penalty kill, which was something coach Jared Bednar had been working on in the preseason camp. Through the night, the lineup successfully shut down five shorthanded scenarios.

For the night, the Avalanche amassed 35 shots on goal. Goaltender Alexandar Georgiev only allowed two goals past him and successfully blocked 23 shots.

With such promise at an early stage of the season and more information for the coaches to work with, the Avalanche will be under a watchful eye and will move forward to their next road game against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m. MDT.

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