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Losses and accidents have gotten a music the Avalanche are bored with singing as they drop their newest sport to the Tampa Bay Lightning. This sport follows a devastating loss to Colorado’s ahead core in 28-year-old Ross Colton, who was amongst NHL leaders in objectives earlier than his damage. Now sitting and resting a damaged foot, it is going to be a minimum of 6-8 weeks till the Avalanche see him return.
Related: Kaapo Kahkonen To Make Avalanche Debut; Ross Colton Out 6-8 Weeks With Broken Foot
The Avalanche additionally missed ahead Miles Wooden final night time after a lingering upper-body damage he had been enjoying via the final couple of video games lastly grew to become extra critical. He’ll miss a minimum of 7-10 days.
With the Avalanche additionally lacking a couple of different key forwards to damage, happily, Head Coach Jared Bednar was in a position to give an replace on a minimum of a type of gamers and when they could return. That participant is none apart from Artturi Lehkonen.
“We’re aiming for Tuesday in opposition to Seattle,” Bednar stated when requested about his return final night time. Now, that is no assure, however Lehkonen is taking part in full crew skates and appears greater than able to lastly return to the fold.
Sadly, there are not any return projections for Jonathan Drouin or Captain Gabriel Landeskog, who has not performed for the reason that sport that received Colorado the cup in opposition to the Lightning in 2022.
Concerning Drouin, Bednar stated he is “ramping up” and eventually began taking managed contact in crew skates. “He is nonetheless a bit sore…you may most likely discover out [when he returns] the day he is enjoying.”
The Level Streaks Proceed
Each Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar prolonged their season-opening level streaks final night time to 11 video games.
Makar, who celebrated his birthday final night time with a purpose, additionally joined the NHL file books. His 11-game season-opening level streak turns into the second longest in NHL historical past by a defenseman. His streak falls solely behind Bobby Orr’s run within the 1973-74 season (15 video games).
Necessary Credit score: Isaiah J&interval; Downing-Imagn Photographs
Kaapo Kähkönen Makes His Season Debut
Regardless of the shaky first interval, Kähkönen placed on a powerful efficiency in final night time’s sport. Coach Bednar appeared impressed by how he performed behind the crew.
“You have a look at these 4 objectives, [Kähkönen] most likely needs the primary one again. It is an important shot, proper within the slot, one-timer, well-placed. The opposite three, he is obtained no likelihood, ? … I feel he made numerous good saves and I do not suppose, exterior of these possibilities, they have been tremendous harmful. However he did a pleasant job. I can not fault him for any of these objectives.”
Tampa Bay’s elite passing, velocity, and positioning led to most of their objectives final night time. Nikita Kucherov obtained the scoring began. He sat within the slot as Brayden Level used his velocity to his benefit and wound himself deep within the zone, discovered Kucherov, and located the Lightning a purpose on their first shot of the sport.
Jake Guentzel obtained issues going subsequent for the Lightning. Kucherov makes use of his velocity to get deep into the offensive zone and finds Guentzel, who’s sitting on the close to put up, with a sensible move from the trapezoid. This was Guentzel’s first of the night time.
Proper after the Avalanche get their first shot of the night time off, the Lightning take it the opposite manner, and with an elaborate passing sequence in entrance of Kähkönen, Conor Geekie places it within the internet for his second of the yr, making it 3-0 in favor of Tampa Bay.
Earlier than the primary interval concludes, Colorado’s energy play confirmed off why they’ve the third-best share within the league. Ahead Ivan Ivan suggestions a depraved shot by Cale Makar (glad birthday, #8!) from the purpose and earns the second purpose of his profession.
Necessary Credit score: Isaiah J&interval; Downing-Imagn Photographs
Coach Bednar had rather a lot (A LOT!) of nice issues to say in regards to the rookie ahead, noting how a lot of an sudden “vivid spot” he is been.
“He was nice tonight. While you’re speaking about vivid spots in addition to a few of the ones you’d count on. He is positively one in every of them. He appears and performs, he is nonetheless studying the sport a bit bit, and simply how exhausting and aggressive I feel you must be so as to have success right here. However he began utilizing his skating a bit bit extra. He is an important skater, a very sturdy skater and it appears like he is type of obtained the governor on at instances, so we’re attempting to push him to make use of that to his benefit, and he is beginning to do this. However he performs the sport in such a accountable trend. He is good on each side of the puck. He appears increasingly more like a seasoned professional on daily basis…Within the time he has on ice, he is up there with, if not [at] the highest of the league proper now. He is doing that and nonetheless discovering a approach to chip in, enjoying energy play as nicely, and he is performed a pleasant job in that bumper spot simply supporting the puck, making performs out and in of there. He is getting harmful at instances. He is been actually good.”
Guentzel had his second purpose of the night time within the second interval, which was the lone purpose for your complete 20 minutes. Surprisingly, that was not probably the most attention-grabbing a part of the interval.
Matt Stienburg, a current call-up from the AHL Colorado Eagles, earned himself not solely two minutes for roughing on Lightning ahead Zemgus Girgensons however a 5 and a sport for charging ahead Erik Cernak. “He left his ft,” Bednar stated earnestly in regards to the name post-game. An sincere evaluation. This play was reviewed in a listening to at present, leading to a two-game suspension. He was despatched again right down to the Eagles earlier at present.
Necessary Credit score: Isaiah J&interval; Downing-Imagn Photographs
Cernak did leave the game early, appearing injured after the hit. No replace has been supplied on when he’ll return, however the hope from the crew is that the damage restoration shall be a fast one so he can return as quickly as potential.
Cale Makar had the one different purpose for the Avalanche, which got here on the 9:03 mark of the third interval. The shot got here after a humongous push and a few missed possibilities for the crew, and happily for them, Makar was in a position to put it away from the blue line.
The final purpose, an insurance coverage purpose for the Lightning, got here by means of Anthony Cirelli within the type of an empty-netter. The Lightning completed with a 5-2 win over Colorado.
What’s Subsequent for the Avalanche?
Colorado will apply tomorrow earlier than making the journey to Nashville to face the Predators. Nashville is 3-6-1 on the season. Filip Forsberg at the moment leads the crew in objectives (5) and factors (9).
This can be a fast highway journey because the Avalanche shall be again at Ball Enviornment on Tuesday to face the Kraken with their fingers crossed for Lehkonen’s return.
