The Colorado Avalanche came back down to earth a little bit Monday night in a 4-3 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. It’s not that the Avs played a poor game, they just didn’t capitalize on enough grade A chances, while letting the Canadiens do just the opposite.
It was a puck nobody seemed to locate that ended up in the back of the net for Montreal that was the game winner.
But the Avalanche can’t dwell for too long as they are back at it Tuesday night against the Ottawa Senators.
We also start off the episode talking about another Avs player who has entered the league’s assistance program. Val Nichushkin and the Avs announced the forward would enter the program and be out indefinitely. We are all pulling for Val and hope he gets himself right.
A jam packed episode! Tune in, subscribe and enjoy!
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17 Comments
I hope Val gets whatever help he needs. That said, this entire situation stretching back to last year stinks and really needs to be resolved. When players from other leagues enter rehab or whatever, it’s stated explicitly what it’s for. I disagree that we as fans don’t deserve to know why someone is unavailable to play yet we’re paying to see them play.
Well firstly I am proud of Nuke taking this step (and Sammy G too) to get help with off ice issues. Obviously these guys are under a lot of pressure to perform and it must be easy to get into unhealthy habits. Can’t wait to see the big man back because he has been playing so well!!
We should sign Corey Perry now since Val is out
Fellas. Love y'all, but Georgiev was…not good, and there's no explaining it away anymore. It's absolutely fair to put a lot of this one on him. I know there's nothing out there that we can afford as far as a starter for a trade and the 2C issue is still an issue (come on, CMac, do something), but ye gads, he's just not good enough right now and hasn't been consistent or good enough at all this season. Were there breakdowns and bone-headed plays in front of him? Sure. But they can't keep having to score enough to overcome his soft goals and weird failures–I want to see him succeed (duh) but man oh man, is he letting the team and everyone down consistently. And I feel like the body language of the team is showing that they're not trusting him much at this point, either.
We are not going far in the playoffs unless he gets it the eff together and pronto and unless we get a good back up goalie.
Damn, I miss Frankie. More and more every day. Tonight's game made me grumpy.
Teams that rely on one line to do everything typically don’t go far in playoffs. Playing McKinnon and Rantanen 29+ min in January vs a non playoff team seems excessive. Management has their work cutout for them before the deadline.
Val been going through some personal issues since last year and not a single individual actually knows what is going on outside of the Colorado Avalanche Organization. Hopefully Val can get his personal issues back on track. This Avs team definitely needs #13 to be on top of his game. All this just is not a good timing for This Avalanche Franchise.
Very Ugly Game in Montreal…..
looked like the Top Line was the only line wanting to get a W last night.
There is no way the avs win a championship with Georgie playing the way he is. They need to make a move for a veteran backup that can handle the pressure of playing a big game after Georgie inevitably gets pulled.
Elvis??? For goalie .900 sv perc on Columbus
Georgie needs to be more aggressive on breakaways. He never poke checks nor challenges the shooter. 40 gives them too much time & space to pick him apart. Jussi Parkkila can help him do this properly. IMO this sill help 40 make that 'big save' we're always looking for. The Avs D give up several of these a game, so I feel like its a way for George to adapt to the Avs style. Imagine if he saves one more breakaway every other game; it would be a huge improvement for him.
2 players in one year entering the assistance program wtf is going on , why like wtf why . val was riding high then this ,hopfully its just being a new dad related cause ,if boys are drinking and doing drugs then its time to say good bye
Thanks for your entirely fair, logical, and adult comments about Val. There's a real limit to what is our business, no matter how famous they are, they still have a personal life and this life can be freaking difficult. Fame has got to be a hellacious stressor. Good on him for sharing anything at all about it, and good on him for getting help. That's the grown-ass-man thing to do.
And still more kudos to you both for recognizing Sam's move as a great inspiration in a difficult life.
Sooner or later the top line guys are gonna get burnt out , playing almost 30mins a game last few games cant be good for u🤷♂️ plus they play a back 2 back .
I get they are built for this buy my point is guys really need to step up and help out . I said to others that Habs play amazing against these top tier teams and have beat a few this season . Sneaky good like Seattle
I got a horrible bug on Christmas Eve that had me completely unable to work (my cushy desk job) for a week, and I wasn't really over it for two full weeks. Could just be Wood caught that flu.
I'm glad Val is addressing his issues. I wonder if Sammy G taking action inspired him to get ahead of it once and for all.
I can't decide how to feel about Georgiev. He lets in some softies that make you scratch your head. He's also being abandoned to breakaways and high danger shots multiple times per game. He needs help both from our sometimes invisible defense and from a dependable backup that can lighten his load more often. (Is this what Kuemper would've looked like if we didn't have Frankie that season? I think not – defensive breakdowns didn't seem to be such a problem.)
The Avs are such a weird team. I wouldn't be surprised if they drop the game against Ottawa too, then decide to play up to their skill and win in Boston.
Thank God, Chicago and Montreal won't be in the playoffs. The Avs obviously are not motivated enough against "weaker" opponents. Mental problem. Good for Nichushkin he is playing for an NHL team, otherwise you would be canned by another employer. Goal 2 for Montreal was not Georgiev's fault? Really? Avs b2b pp and nothing? Only passing for over 1 minute! The dark side of the Avs, again.
Dude Montreal was on a 5 game losing streak. They mentally wanted this one badly. Avs are traveling all week and down alot of guys. Cant win them all. I am going to say a hot take here and I know he had a great assist, but Rantanen is not a fast skater or aggressive in the zone. Dude passes well and sets up the play but he is not back checking or moving quick here. Colton is a great fit in the PP line. Keep him there.
Would have loved a point here. The defensive end has to be addressed, and hopefully annunen can at least play well enough tonight to take the back up spot.
i don't focus on the goalie as our problem. I very much think that if the 2nd -4th lines improve with a better player or two (I'm sorry but we need a replacement for RyJo), there will be less goals against. And – here is a shout out to all the thousands of americans that go work everyday and then go after work to their group therapy in their struggle to finally quit alcohol or drugs