Avs Game Analysis
Kovalenko Stands Out in Avs’ 6-1 Loss to Golden Knights
DENVER — Four games down, two to go. Thankfully.
The Avalanche suffered yet another preseason loss on Tuesday, falling 6-1 to the Vegas Golden Knights after a dull third-period performance. It truly feels like this year’s exhibition games have been somewhat of a drag to get through. I wrote about the number of roster spots up for grabs earlier this morning, and it’s clear that the focus has been on allowing that group to get an opportunity.
Some of them have fared well, like Sam Malinski, who head coach Jared Bednar complimented as the best of the depth defensemen thus far. But the results haven’t led to wins. Which, doesn’t really matter this time of year. The Avs had a tough preseason showing last season and followed it up with a 6-0-0 start to the regular season. But Bednar admitted that a lot needs to be cleaned up before they open the season in Vegas next Wednesday.
If Sunday’s loss was the game that highlighted Malinski as a standout, this one was about Nikolai Kovalenko proving he belongs. The 24-year-old has separated himself from the pack as a clear candidate to play in the top six to start the season. And if he can perform this way all year, Bednar might struggle to keep him out of the top nine even if all of his forwards were healthy.
“Yes, for sure,” Bednar said, when asked if Kovalenko was a bright spot. “I thought he was noticeable again, like he worked hard, he made plays, made plays under pressure. He made plays coming out of the D zone, neutral zone, offensive zone. It wasn’t perfect, but power play, he was good again.”
Kovalenko played on the top line alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen. He put in an Artturi Lehkonen-lite type of performance, playing the role of the puck hound who dug pucks out of the corner after every dump-in. His ability to go to the dangerous areas is one of the best attributes we saw from him in the KHL and it’s why the Avs are excited to have him.
He was also parked in front of the opposition’s goal on the power play, playing a role often held by Valeri Nichushkin, and before him Gabriel Landeskog.
“He had bunch of really nice chances. He played with two really good players, and they had a decent night with the puck at times,” Bednar said. “But he certainly showed that he can at least go into that spot and help create some chances on his own and with his line mates.”
Kovalenko isn’t a traditional rookie because of his experience in the KHL. So it’s not quite a surprise that he seems to be comfortable playing the role that suits him best. But if Tuesday proved anything, it’s that his role — his game suits the Avalanche as much as it did his previous teams.
It also gave Bednar a look of what it would be like if he decided to spread the wealth among his top-four healthy forwards. Kovalenko lining up with MacKinnon and Rantanen could give Casey Mittelstadt a chance to play with Jonathan Drouin. Bednar wouldn’t commit quite to that quite yet. He’d like to see what some of the younger players could do with Mittelstadt before taking Drouin off the top line.
But it’s still a good problem to have if, in fact, Kovalenko can hang with the top guys during regular-season play.
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Sure, it’s preseason. But the Avs look terrible. Same lack of size with the inability to clear anyone out from in front of the net and getting pummeled in the corners. The icing on the cake was #54 Matthew Phillips, all five foot and eight inches of him (generously measured) being laughed at by a Vegas player behind the net. I mean the size difference was comical. It looked like a Pee-Wee player was left on the ice after intermission.
I noticed that moment as well. I wasn’t a big fan of the “Tiny Line” of Tynan, Phillips, and Innala. Apart, they’ve each shown good flashes, but putting a line together of all 5’9″ and under guys was a gimmick that didn’t work.
I mean, it was really funny. In all my years of watching hockey going back to the original six, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it. The Vegas player looked like he was two feet taller than Phillips. And a huge, huge grin that turned into a belly laugh once Phillips was next to him behind the net. Pair that line with Sammy and a couple other diminutive “puck moving defensemen” and Evan would be proud. Just kidding, folks. I think.
right with you Rico
This is why I really didn’t understand the Avs off – season strategy of bringing in more small, soft & not very good defensive guys to fill out the back end. If you have Makar, Toews & Girard. Do you really need more “puck moving” D? At least they kept Manson & brought in Dehaan otherwise you could easily claim this as the softest D – core in hockey. And I know a lot of younger more progressive minded fans think it doesn’t matter if you have size & guys who will clear the front of the net as much… Read more »
Absolutely spot on. I was looking at the Cup winning roster and here is who we miss – Kadri, EJ, Helm, JJ, Cogs, Burky and Compher. I know talent walks out the door with the cap and a successful season but on the back end, EJ was huge and players like Helm were tough, disciplined, proven playoff winners. I thought Sakic & MacFarland got the message with the acquisition of Manson and that roster was rock solid. But now, they seem to be going in the wrong direction. I’m sorry, but I do not have a very positive outlook on… Read more »
This is exactly the same thing I’m seeing. One would think that management previously proved that small nimble defensemen that can’t clear the front of the net are not the answer but they continue to always fall back into this trap. Your last sentence is also my prediction for the Av’s finish this year.
You literally just wrote my season prediction too!
Kovalenko & Malinski are the two most important & positive developments of the preseason. Huge positive if Kovalenko becomes a really good two way middle six wing. They need more cost effective options. Georgiev looked to be in regular season form already! I know everyone wants to point to the fact that he played pretty well in the playoffs last year outside of that horrendous game 1. And he was solid. But I still don’t see him finishing the season as the #1. That’s my hot take. He’s wildly inconsistent & has some of the worst body language in the… Read more »
I’m not concerned about the preseason results because the Avs are using a roster of primarily AHL, or maybe even lower, guys. Of the 18 skaters in the Vegas game, I counted 7 skaters who will be on the Avs’ opening night roster. Five skaters if DeHaan and Bellemare don’t make it although likely they will. Even if the opposition is icing a similar roster, we all know the Avs prospect pool is rather thin compared to many teams. There is a reason the Avs have kept their roster so big this preseason and I just don’t expect them to… Read more »
Couldn’t agree more with this assessment. The game was absolute garbage, but Kovalenko looked great. I loved his tenacity in drawing a couple penalties, and he played really smart. The Lehkonen comparisons are accurate with him, and he should be right at home in our top six for a while. The only nitpick I had for him I this game: he should have been anticipating the pass from Mikko on the power play. Instead, he was a half second late on it and put that beautiful pass into the side of the net, instead of into it.
If Kovalenko is able to stay in the top 6 and get points on one of the two PP units, he may get some Calder votes. He’s still eligible, I think.