Analyzing the Colorado Avalanche's Performance in Game 3 Against Seattle Kraken.
1. Introduction
The Colorado Avalanche faced off against the Seattle Kraken in Game 3 of their playoff series, and as with every game, there were positives and negatives to take away. In this article, we will examine the pluses and minuses from the game and discuss some key players who stood out.
Star Power and Penalty Kills: Key
2. Lars Eller is in Playoff Mode
When the Avalanche acquired Lars Eller in March, they had high hopes for him as their third-line center come playoff time. Eller has a history of stepping up in intense games, and he has shown that in this series so far. Despite a minor injury, Eller had a strong game, winning eight of the 10 faceoffs he took and playing an important role on the penalty kill. While his offense may be lacking, he is providing exactly what the Avalanche had hoped for when they made the trade.
3. The Superstars
The Avalanche boasts star power that the Kraken cannot match, and this was evident in Game 3. Nathan MacKinnon scored two highlight-reel goals, Mikko Rantanen picked up three points, and Cale Makar had dominant possession numbers to go with two points of his own. The star players could very well be the difference in the series, and they certainly made an impact in this game.
4. Georgiev’s Puck-Handling Skills
Goalies are not always the best at playing the puck, and Georgiev's limitations have become clear in recent weeks. On the second Kraken goal, Georgiev left the puck behind the net for no one, resulting in a Seattle goal.
5. Malgin's Struggles
Denis Malgin struggled with turnovers in the offensive zone, leading to counterattacks by the Kraken. He also had a costly turnover in his own end in the third period. If the Avalanche were at full strength, games like this could have him in danger of being a healthy scratch.
6. Makar/Byram
Cale Makar and Bowen Byram make a dynamic defensive pairing that is hard to separate. They controlled 80% of the shot attempts on the ice in Game 3 and have been strong defensively at even strength. This pairing gives a glimpse into the long-term future of the Avalanche defense.
7. The Nichushkin Situation
The Avalanche confirmed after the game that Valeri Nichushkin is no longer with the team. It is unclear what happened, but something occurred at the team hotel. Although the Avalanche managed to secure a win in his absence, they typically encounter difficulties when he's not playing. The hope is that the situation will become more transparent in the upcoming days.
Regarding Andrew Cogliano's comeback, he performed well in his first game after being sidelined due to an injury. He was reliable on the penalty kill and had a strong showing in possession.Hopefully, his return means less concern moving forward.
8. The Penalty Kill Strength
Both teams' power plays were not particularly strong in game three, but credit belongs to both teams' penalty killers. The Avalanche's penalty kill was particularly strong, with a shorthanded goal and key kills at important moments in the game.
9. Conclusion
The Avalanche's game three performance had its pluses and minuses. The team's star power was evident, and certain players like Eller, Makar, and Byram stepped up. However, areas like Georgiev's puck-handling and Malgin's turnovers.
