Rewind back to the second round in 2021. The Avalanche won each of the first two games at home against the Vegas Golden Knights and were just minutes away from stealing Game 3.
Vegas managed to score late, winning that game and each of the next three to defeat the Avs in six games. Despite leading 2-0 in the series, the Avs were not the better team in either game. Eventually, Vegas’ dominance proved to be too much, and they took the 0-2 deficit back to their barn feeling good about how they started the series.
Sounds quite familiar, doesn’t it?
Following the Avalanche’s exceptional Game 2 performance on Tuesday — a 5-2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Centre — the series heads to Denver with Colorado feeling great about how it’s played through two games.
Sure, the Avs aren’t trailing 2-0 like the Golden Knights were three years ago. But the Jets suddenly find themselves preparing for the best home team in the NHL against the strongest offense in the league knowing very well they’re fortunate to have even won one of the two games at home.
The Avs suddenly find themselves in the driver’s seat and have stolen home-ice advantage.
“We’re gonna need everybody in this room to have their A-game if we’re gonna go on a run,” defenseman Devon Toews told reporters postgame.
Alexandar Georgiev said he changed his routine a little to reset for Game 2. He took less shots at morning skate to save energy and focus for the game.
— Meghan Angley (@megangley) April 24, 2024
It would be unjust to not highlight the remarkable bounce-back performance by Avalanche goalie Alexandar Georgiev. After allowing seven goals on just 23 shots in Game 1, Georgiev, and his job as the starter, became the main topic of conversation over the past 48 hours. Admittedly, I also felt it was time to turn to a different option.
But Georgiev would not be denied. With Ivan Prosvetov breathing down his neck and an ill Justus Annunen awaiting his opportunity, Georgiev made 28 saves and only surrendered two goals. Winnipeg stormed out of the gate and scored on its third shot, a goal for David Gustavsson. But they could only muster one other puck past him the rest of the way.
“They’ve shown so much support to me over the last couple of days,” Georgiev said of his teammates.
At some point, Colorado might need to use Annunen in these playoffs. Especially if it manages another long run like 2022. But for now, Georgiev has calmed the critics, taken back control of his game and confidence, and steadied the ship heading back to Denver.
Perhaps the wildest statistic? The guy at the other end — the likely Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck — has given up one more goal than Geogiev through two games.
Avs win 5-2. Series tied 1-1. Georgiev bounces back in a huge way.
– Georgiev: 9 GA on 53 shots (.830 SV %)
-Hellebuyck: 10 GA on 76 shots (.868 SV %)Ball Arena for the next two. Hope ya'll are ready.
— Aarif Deen (@runwriteAarif) April 24, 2024
If the Avalanche feed off Georgiev’s renewed confidence and continue to challenge offensively, the Jets are in for a tough grind. Colorado’s relentless offense hasn’t let up through six periods of hockey.
Highlights
- Josh Manson struggled in Game 1 but bounced back massively. He was a plus-4, pitching in with a goal and a team-leading six hits in 20:25. Without Samuel Girard, Manson has been relied on to play No. 3 duties behind Cale Makar and Toews.
- Colorado scored four goals in the second period on 14 shots. Trailing 2-1, the Avs were fortunate when a shot sifted by Georgiev but rang off the post. Eventually, the puck went the other way and Artturi Lehkonen redirected a point shot from Makar to tie it up at 2-2. Colorado used that momentum to add two more in a stretch of 5:37 to take a commanding 4-2 lead into the third period — silencing the hostile crowd in the process.
- Kudos to Miles Wood, who opened the scoring for the Avalanche. The Avs’ third line with Ross Colton, Joel Kiviranta and Wood have been impactful in each of the two games. Wood wasn’t known for his strong postseason play with New Jersey. He had two playoff goals in 13 games with the Devils. He already has as many with the Avs in just two games.
- Zach Parise’s eventual game-winning goal was the type of hard-working play you’re always going to get from the 39-year-old veteran. It’s how he’s made a living in the NHL. Parise has already confirmed that this will be his last year in the NHL — his final opportunity to raise the Stanley Cup. He doesn’t plan on hiding in the shadows of the Avs’ stars, though. He became the second oldest player to score a playoff goal for the Avalanche and has looked comfortable on the top line alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen.