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December 18, 2022
Mikko Rantanen Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen, left, wraps around the net for a shot as Nashville Predators defenseman Jeremy Lauzon pursues in the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

The Colorado Avalanche started the game off right tonight as they were awake from the start. There was lots of energy from the team as they shut down the Nashville Predators in a 3-1 victory. The power play after going 0 for 18, were able to connect on a Mikko Rantanen wrist shot to break the drought. The Avalanche looked more in unison tonight and the defense were keeping their heads up for the right passes. Here are my takeaways for tonight’s victory against the Predators.

Takeaways

  • Samuel Girard showing a difference in his defense in the first period. He was playing the puck more rather than the man.
  • Bednar said that the team started last game looking “sleepy.” Tonight they looked full of energy and ready to play.
  • Lots of shot attempts from the blue line are not getting through.
  • The Avalanche seem to be getting even stronger on the forcheck during the penalty kill, getting more shorthanded scoring chances.
  • There have were lots of across the slot passes trying to get the goalie moving.
  • The penalty kill was more aggressive tonight, charging after the man with the puck to pokecheck the puck.
  • Ben Meyers has started to show that he is more comfortable in the NHL. At the beginning of the year, he was not showing he was comfortable or confident.

Mikko Rantanen Interview

We asked Rantanen on his thoughts of having a player like J.T Compher in the lineup and how it has helped the team:

“Yeah, he’s an all around player. You know, he does good on the draws too. And it really helps our team. We’re not very high on faceoff stats this year. So we need a guy like him to win important faceoffs for us,” he said. 

Cale Makar Interview

He was asked about his thoughts on the power play for the Avalanche:

“I like to think that being on the power play hopefully gives some energy, a nice little confidence boost to other guys on the team, a momentum shift kind of. For us, we knew it was going to come at some point and we’ve been working hard and diligent and trying to find different ways to do things. Obviously, Mikko (Rantanen had a) great shot there, but yeah it was good to finally get one.” Makar said

Things turned around for the team tonght and they looked a lot better than two nights ago. Help is on the way in the form of Kurtis MacDermid and Darren Helm.

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