Another slow start doomed the Avalanche.
The Colorado Avalanche were a different team two weeks ago.
That was when they shut out the Los Angeles Kings 4-0 at home and were considered one of the deadliest teams in the NHL. It wasn’t the case Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena, where the Avalanche suffered a 5-4 loss to the Kings.
It was Colorado’s second loss in a row and their fifth in their last eight games. Many of their stars, including Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Devon Toews, did not travel with the team for their final road trip as they rest in preparation for the playoffs, which begin a week from now. However, Colorado was also without the services of Ross Colton, Jonathan Drouin, Ryan Lindgren, and Josh Manson due to injury. That’s the primary concern. Miles Wood also did not play Saturday due to an undisclosed illness. The Avs will likely see a similar lineup for their regular season finale on Sunday against the Anaheim Ducks.
How It Happened
The game wasn’t a complete catastrophe. Brock Nelson scored two goals on the afternoon to reach 300 for his career and Valeri Nichushkin had two points, including a goal. Sam Malinski, who was once on the hot seat, continued his impressive run with his fifth goal of the year to get Colorado back within a score midway through the third period. It was a nasty wrister from the right circle that did the job after Nichushkin spotted him in the slot.
Charlie Coyle was also another bright spot for the Avs. His assist on Nelson’s first goal of the game, a power play goal with over 10 minutes to go in the opening period, was his eighth point in his last five games. But this was one of those instances where Colorado would move a step forward and subsequently moved two steps back.
Quinton Byfield had three points, and Kevin Fiala scored twice for the Kings, who scored on their opening two shots of the game. Whenever you get into a quick deficit like that, it isn’t easy to get out of that hole. Colorado may have won the game without that start, but that’s not what happened.
Concerns?
With that in mind, the Avalanche must be at least slightly concerned with Mackenzie Blackwood’s play with the Stanley Cup playoffs beginning a week from now. The 28-year-old has given up 17 goals in his last five games and has taken the loss in four of his previous five starts.
Scott Wedgewood, Colorado’s backup, has won four of his last five appearances and has inconceivably been the better goaltender as of late. Will Jared Bednar consider starting him in the first round? It’s at least a possibility. You have to do what’s best for the team. Don’t forget that during the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs, former Detroit Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock yanked Dominik Hasek for Chris Osgood after several rough performances. It was a decision that ultimately led to another Stanley Cup championship. We’ll see what happens against the Ducks.
“I think he hasn’t played as good as he did when he first got here, so he’s got to hone in on his game here quickly. I still have a lot of confidence in him.”
Bednar on Mackenzie Blackwood.
— Evan Rawal (@evanrawal) April 12, 2025
Notables
Two Colorado Eagles players made their NHL debuts on Saturday. Defenseman Wyatt Aamodt, 27, and his partner, Jack Ahcan stepped up for the Avalanche. Aamodt was an undrafted free agent out of Minnesota State-Mankato, while Ahcan has spent the past two seasons with the Eagles. He also made nine NHL appearances for the Boston Bruins over the course of two seasons. Jere Innala, who was sent down to the Eagles in January, also returned to the lineup.
Upcoming
The final regular season game at the Anaheim Ducks tomorrow night at 8:00 p.m. on ESPN.