Deen’s Daily: Georgiev Loses to Hellebuyck; Sabres & Rangers Nightmares Continue

Last season Alexandar Georgiev struggled for the Avalanche in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Winnipeg Jets. Over the next week, he had perhaps the highlight of his Avs career, bouncing back for four straight wins to lead Colorado to the second round. Georgiev outplayed the Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck in that series.

Something about a matchup against the Jets netminder often brings out the best in Georgie. Earlier this season, Colorado lost 1-0 at Winnipeg in a game where Georgiev and Hellebuyck exchanged big saves. The difference was one goal, but Hellebuyck got the upper hand.

On Tuesday, the two goalies went head to head again and Hellebuyck, again, got the win. Georgiev made his second start for the San Jose Sharks since being traded nine days ago. He made 29 saves in a 4-3 loss where San Jose led by a goal midway through the third period.

Georgiev let in two late goals, including the game-winner to Adam Lowry with 1:13 remaining in regulation.

Around the NHL

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Penguins pulled off an impressive feat against the L.A. Kings. And for the first time since they were 3-3-0, Mike Sullivan’s club is back at .5oo with a 14-14-5 record. Pittsburgh is 7-2-1 in its last 10 games with one of the regulation losses coming against the Avs.

Montreal Hockey Now: Patrik Laine recorded a hat trick to reach six goals in seven games since making his season debut with the Montreal Canadiens. His joy was a nightmare for the other side. The Buffalo Sabres, who are mired in a vicious 11-game losing streak, lost 6-1 to the Habs.

The Sabres are one of three New York-based teams currently stuck in a terrible rut. The New York Rangers have been the center of the hockey universe for several weeks now because of the drama surrounding the eventual Jacob Trouba trade and the rumors of others also being shopped. The Rangers have yet to stop the bleeding since then. On Tuesday, New York got shutout 2-0 by the worst team in the NHL, the Nashville Predators.

They’ve lost three straight and are 3-11-0 in their last 14 games. They’re suddenly back at .500 and out of a playoff spot

New York Islanders: As for the Islanders, they also couldn’t score a goal on Tuesday in a loss to a division rival.

Boston Hockey Now: The Bruins trailed Calgary 3-1 in the third period. But three more goals were scored before the game ended in OT.

Philadelphia Hockey Now: John Tortorella vs ‘The Michigan’ — one of the NHL’s storied rivalries.