Good & Bad
The Aftermath: Olofsson Embodies Depth Upgrade for Avalanche
He scored twice in a 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning
DENVER — It was one of those games where the Avalanche needed a moment to take control. But once they did, they never relinquished it, and put together a tight defensive effort on Tuesday.
Colorado gave up the first goal on the first shot. But the depth forwards scored three straight goals to defeat the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 at Ball Arena.
Like the Avs did against the New Jersey Devils last week, they ended the longest active winning streak in the NHL, halting the Bolts’ run at five games. And just like he did against the Devils, Victor Olofsson had a multi-goal game.
Olofsson has five goals on the season, all of which came in a stretch of four periods against two of the hottest teams in the Eastern Conference. Tack on his seven assists, and Colorado’s sixth winger option, who was signed late in the offseason, has 12 points in 14 games.
Not bad for a player making $1.575 million and averaging less than 14 minutes per game.
“He’s doing a great job with the ice time that he’s been given,” head coach Jared Bednar said. “We know this is a guy that can shoot, he can score. He knows how to score, and he seems like he’s getting a little confidence.”
Nikita Kucherov scored for the Lightning early, but after two penalties by Tampa Bay, the Avs’ power play once again would not be denied. Against the Devils, Colorado put up four goals on eight chances against (at the time) the top PK in the league.
This time, the Avs were 1-for-4 against a Jon Cooper-coached squad that came into tonight ranked No. 2 on the PK, killing off more than 90% of penalties.
On that PP goal, Olofsson found the rebound of a Nathan MacKinnon chance and put it past goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy at 13:51.
Olofsson’s second tally came early in the second. Gabe Landeskog fed Jack Drury in the slot, but he whiffed on a puck that found its way to Olofsson for the clean shot past the goalie.
The Avs added a third from Ross Colton just over a minute later before the Lightning got one back in the third period.
It wasn’t Cale Makar, Martin Necas, or MacKinnon leading the charge. It wasn’t even Valeri Nichushkin. It was two wingers who started the season on the third line, along with some nice feeds from Landeskog and Sam Malinski.
That’s the depth the team didn’t have early last season. Or in any of the last three seasons in general.
“All of our lines are playing to their identity,” Bednar said. “I think they’re playing as a connected group of three or five, depending on who’s on the ice. And we’re seeing good results.”
Scott Wedgewood got the nod in goal and made 22 saves. He sat last game to allow Mackenzie Blackwood to make his season debut.
Wedgewood leads the NHL in wins with eight.
What Worked
Olofsson’s fit on the PP
I know this wasn’t how he scored, but it’s nice to see Olofsson fitting in so nicely on the top PP unit. From the moment free agency started to die down in July, many vouched for Colorado to pick up Olofsson for this exact reason.
He’s got a dangerous shot, and he can slot in on the right side half wall as a left shooter. He can replace Mikko Rantanen in that regard. It took a while for the Avs to try it, but it’s working well.
Olofsson is the first guy I’ve seen line up there and take one-timers that’s felt like a threat since Rantanen was dealt.
What Didn’t
Too Many Men
I’m not sure how the game would’ve gone without this penalty. For all we know, the Avs still could’ve won in regulation. But the Tampa Bay Lightning took just about the most bone-headed too many men penalty I’ve ever seen, and it allowed the Avs to get back into a game they were trailing.
They had just killed off the Pontus Holmberg penalty by holding back a pretty solid two-minute attack from the Avs.
Then, with both teams changing up, on a nothing play, they had an extra guy jump on that led to a whistle from the official to blow the play dead. It was so clearly an unforced error that I didn’t initially recognize why the referee had stopped play.
The bad penalties are usually the hardest ones to kill, and Olofsson scored just 17 seconds into that PP.
I think there’s a reasonable chance Olofsson could lead the Avs in goals scored this season – putting up a career high in the process. If he continues to play on the top PP – as I expect he will – and then also continues to feast on opposing teams’ 3rd lines, I don’t think it’s out of the question. He needed a bit to break the seal on goal scoring, but I think most of us felt that once he did put one in, the goals would start to pour in – and it definitely looks like they are.
One of the things I would like to see is moving Olofsson to the 2nd line and Colton back to the 3rd. Both players are doing well, but the 2nd line still needs to score more. Would the move make both lines better?
I think we leave the lines alone for a few games before we change anything. If Colton develops chemistry he has the ability to finish on goals as well. (Look how he played with MacK at the start of last season). Plus I think having Olofsson as a weapon on the third line spreads out the scoring which we historically have needed terribly. But then again I’m a big supporter of leaving lines alone to develop chemistry. You figure every single forward line has at least one guy on it that wasn’t there until the trade deadline or later. So… Read more »
I thought Colton was flying around on the 2nd line last night and was one of our better players.
I said that Colton was playing well. My question is would the 2nd and 3rd lines do better if Colton and Olofsson switched? I think that is something that should be tried.
I see your point. 2nd line is not pulling it weight. I could see Colton and Landy working well together too on the third line.
I think for now that would make more sense. Drury/Colton/Landeskog definitely fits more of the mold of a prototypical 3rd line. I would still prefer a healthy Brindley get more of a look there. But that’s not going to happen. I know a number of people on X were remarking that it was Landeskog’s best game of the year to this point. I don’t see it. He had a secondary assist on a sequence where Oloffson got in on the forecheck causing Hedman to turn the puck over. And Landeskog just had the puck land on his stick. And he… Read more »
I agree with you on Nelson, but adamantly disagree with you on Landy. I have not watched the Avs play much this year so I have limited sample size I admit.
Also agree on Nelson – just always feels like a passenger. I have nothing but respect for Landy, but the team made a huge sacrifice for him and I think this year he will need to make a sacrifice for the team – the MacK Makar cup window isn’t getting any bigger.
Is Wedge our guy??
Yeah, I don’t think so lol. But it’s really bizarre that Blackwood didn’t start last night. It was either another goofy Bednar move. Or he’s not 100%. Because we all know what Wedgewood is. A really good #2.
I remember in camp when they announced Blackwood would miss the “first week or so” of the regular season. Knew & said it was bs at the time. Here we are a month in. And he’s played in 1 game & didn’t look good. It’s cause for concern with his injury history going back NJ.
Finally got to watch my 2nd game of the season. Did not start well and Avs at 5X5 were painful at times, but overall their defense in the final third was solid giving up few shots although the numerous break aways they gave up in the third were a bit headshaking. I’ve read mixed things on Landy on here, but I thought he looked just fine last night. Has he lost a bit of step? Probably? Will he ever get it back? Maybe. But he was doing all the little things that we need him to do. Does he need… Read more »
Your last sentence is false. Girard hasn’t played since the home opener against Utah – a game the Avs won 2-1. The only regulation loss we’ve had this season was at Boston on October 25th – with Girard likely somewhere in Denver doing rehab work.
Joe you are right, my bad. I forgot we went have played Utah twice and went to OT in Utah (after the refs robbed Landy of his goal and our momentum). Just to be a pest though I’ll state that our defense looks pretty good and our goals against are in the top tier in the league (with many teams below having played two less games) without him. If we had an injury though his depth is a luxury I’ll admit.
The only two games Girard has played this year were wins for the Avalanche (against the Kings and Mammoth). You seem to be one of those who enjoy relentlessly criticizing Girard. Honestly, we should just remove every player who was dressed for the only regulation-time loss against the Bruins. Clearly, they don’t belong on this team.
I am one of those people and have been on this site for a long, long time and have a continuing jest/troll I do on Girard. I’m sorry you had to experience it for the first time apparently today. It has clearly triggered you. You must be one of those people though who believe, despite ample evidence to the contrary, that Girard is a necessary player on this team.
I think with the growth of Malinski & the addition of Burns. It’s become quite apparent Girard is expendable. My only concern is Manson is bound to get hurt & miss some time. Burns is 40. And they already don’t really have a legit 6th defenseman. So it really wouldn’t make much sense to trade Girard at the moment. UNLESS it’s in a package for another defenseman. I would LOVE if they got Rasmus Andersson. But he’s going to cost assets they don’t really have. And he’s a right shot. Which they already have too many of. But I agree… Read more »
Agree with everything you say. I saw Mikko had himself a pretty good night last night btw 😉
Lol. I’m not touching that. Not taking the bait!!!!
On a lighter note, I am bummed Aarif you didn’t have a paragraph on Chris Chelios’ tan and hairdo last night 🙁
With that said, he is a good analyst and good to see him leave the pathetic ESPN desk and come join the big boys of hockey analysis at TNT. The Athletic had a great article on him about a year or so ago and how well he takes care of himself. Dude could probably beat up some twenty year olds these days.
Cheli looked straight mafia
Yeah, I remember hearing some of his ex teammates in Detroit say, that immediately after games. He would jump on the stationary bike for like 1 – 2hrs. Not too dissimilar to what we hear about Mackinnon.
I guess I find it more impressive with the old guard. Because all of those guys drank & chased ass most nights. Never missed time & the game in general was much more physical.
Does anyone miss Jonathan Drouin?
Nope lol. His game doesn’t translate to the postseason. And he was useless when he wasn’t on Mack’s line or on PP1. I’ll give him credit though for reviving his career from literally the brink.
Is that a serious question or sarcasm? No, don’t miss him.; half point a game for $4M? or Olofsson point per game for $1.5M?
I would like to see them try to sign Olofsson and Wedgewood to extensions. Might not be able to get it done, but they should try.
I think priority #1 should be to try & extend Malinski. They can lock him in yearly for roughly half of what they pay Girard. If they get it done sooner rather than wait until he goes to market July 1st.
I still think they should hold off on Olofsson. I think part of why you’re getting the best version of him. Is because he doesn’t have that security.
I like Wedgewood a lot. But I think with Nabokov coming over next year. I don’t know if he’s in the Avs future plans.
Makar is having too many bad games. The first TB goal was all on him. Did not take passes well, made soft passes. Hopefully just a bad game, but I’ve seen a few of these from him now.
He is overplayed. Plain and simple. This will be an issue as long as Bednar is coach. Avs could have 4 Makar clones and the original would still get overplayed.