The Colorado Avalanche have yet to win a game this season, in large part to some terrible goaltending in their first three games. Alexandar Georgiev, the projected starter going into the season for Colorado, has been at the forefront of concerns.
Georgiev has been pulled from two of the first three games until last night's contest, where he finished the game but still allowed five goals on 37 shots. Justus Annunen, the backup goaltender, had a rough time in his first game of relief, allowing two goals on four shots, but fared better in his second game, allowing two goals on 13 shot attempts.
Luckily for Colorado, help is on the way if needed. The club claimed goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen off waivers from the Winnipeg Jets on Friday. Kahkonen spent time in San Jose and New Jersey last season and posted a .898 save percentage. If things continue the way they've been going for Georgiev and Annunen, Kahkonen will surely get a look in net.
The Avalanche must get their goaltending figured out soon
It would be crazy to say that these next few games for the Avalanche are must win games, but it's about as close to that as it can get. It's imperative that every NHL team to get off to a good start, because the season becomes more physically taxing on players as it goes on.
The Avalanche might not be as good as they were two years ago when they won the cup, but their roster still possesses stars that are primed for success. The Avalanche have been a successful team for quite a while now but have been trending in the wrong direction for the last two years now with back-to-back exits in the first round
No one should write Colorado off, especially since they have one of the best players in the league in Nathan MacKinnon on their team. As long as he's around, the team will always have a chance. But Georgiev and Annunen have allowed an alarming number of goals in the first three games. Colorado will look to get back on track tomorrow against Boston.