Aarif Deen
Brett Kulak played just over 25 minutes in the Avalanche’s 9-6 Game 1 triumph over the Minnesota Wild on Sunday. There were 15 combined goals scored, and he only managed to be on the ice for two of them. The first was the Jack Drury goal, where Logan O’Connor forechecked in the corner to force a turnover and generate a scoring opportunity that found the back of the net.
The second was the Marcus Johansson tally for Minnesota, which was their first of six goals and also came in the first period.
The second and third periods each had five goals, and Kulak wasn’t on the ice for any of them. In a game where most players had to stray from their usual process, Kulak continued to do the things that make him a valuable piece of any blueline.
He also has some experience in chaotic games like this. In 2022 with the Edmonton Oilers, Kulak was involved in a 9-6 Game 1 loss to Calgary in the second round, along with an 8-6 loss to the Avalanche in the opening game of the Western Conference Final. Kulak was a +2 in both games, despite all the goals against.
“I’ve been in playoff games similar to that, for sure. I think back to 2022, when we played Calgary. I think it was Game 1 in that series; it was crazy. I just remember that game being very similar to last night,” Kulak said. “This is not what you expected coming in, but here we are. So let’s just find a way to make the next shift good and see if we can get the win.”
Kulak was able to make most of his shifts better. He was one of the catalysts of the Avs’ 4-1 advantage in the third period. Colorado tightened up defensively in that frame, and he was on the ice for a lot of it.
“He’s a good pro, very intelligent hockey player, and obviously a great defender,” head coach Jared Bednar said. “In his preparation, the game is pretty simple. He focuses on the right things to make his game successful. He knows what that is. And he was dialed in on it last night. It’s not an easy team to defend against, but that’s where he puts his priorities. And he was ready to go. Some other guys on our team, some of their priorities are, we got to get up and create some offense, and then have to be dialed into the secondary part of it as well. And I think for Brett, it’s the opposite. He’s gonna go to his defending details and what he needs to do to be successful, and then chip in as much as he can on the other side of it.”
Kulak prioritizing the defensive side of the game is very much needed. Especially on a team with so many puck movers. As Bednar said, some guys prioritize the rush, and that’s what helped lead to a franchise record of four defensemen scoring in the same game. Sam Malinski, Devon Toews, Nick Blankenburg, and Cale Makar (twice) made up for five of the Avs’ nine goals.
“That’s what makes this team special,” Kulak said. “Just the talent up and down the roster, and the guys who can create like that and who can change the game any given shift, is pretty cool.”
Practice Notes
- The Avalanche had an optional skate. Not many guys took the ice, but Josh Manson did, as he continued to work with skills coach Mark Popovic. There werent’ any questions asked after practice about Manson’s status, as that is better suited for Tuesday’s morning skate.
- Bednar did say that Makar will be fine for Game 2. It doesn’t seem like the injury he sustained in the first period is going to keep him out of action.
- The Avs are going to likely have an optional skate Tuesday morning ahead of an earlier 6 p.m. MT start for Game 2. They’ll take Wednesday off before practicing on Thursday in preparation for Game 3 on Saturday night in Minnesota. Friday is also likely going to be an off day.