Colorado Avalanche: Matthew Tkachuk is Public Enemy #1

The Colorado Avalanche are facing a hatable pest in Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk, who’s following in his father’s footsteps.

The Colorado Avalanche did a good job of neutralizing Calgary Flames stars Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan and Elias Lindholm in Game 1. Only Lindholm got a point of that trio, an assist.

Unfortunately, they were less successful with shutting down known pest Matthew Tkachuk.

Here’s how former MHS editor Austin Manak described the situation:

Tkachuk’s night:
-baited EJ into penalty
-physically neutralized Girard
-forecheck destroying Avs breakout
-PP tip goal
— Avstin (@Cottstigan) April 12, 2019

That’s right, he got Avs defenseman Erik Johnson to cross check him in the face. He took out Samuel Girard for most of the game, though G did get a few looks. He also neutralized the Avalanche’s attempt at breaking out. Oh, and in addition to his tip-in goal on the power play, he recorded an empty net goal.

Well, in every playoff series you find am opponent to hate. In this series, it should come as no surprise that it’s Matthew Tkachuk.

Matthew is the son of Hockey Hall of Fame power forward Keith Tkachuk, who was infamous for being aggressive and physical on the ice. Looks like the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Keith recorded 12 seasons with 100+ penalty minutes — three of them with 200+ in penalty minutes. So far Matthew has just one 100+ penalty minutes seasons and a couple 60s.

Something that makes the younger Tkachuk more hateful — besides his goals — is the smirk he wears on his face. Just like everything else, the smirk is charming when Nikita Zadorov is wearing. Not so much on an opponent, especially one like Matthew.

Game 1 Loss

Well, moving on from Matthe Tkachuk — and I do think neutralizing him will be a big factor moving forward — Game 1 was less than ideal.

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The Colorado Avalanche seemed to bring out their tidy game, the one that mostly limits mistakes. Unfortunately, though they came out with intensity, they never got to shellacking goalie Mike Smith.

And that’s a pity because I think Smith is very beatable. He was flopping around like HHOFer Dominik Hasek, only with less accuracy.

And yet in his fish-like fashion, he managed to throw a shutout against Colorado. And now goal watch begins. Colorado has gone three whole periods without a goal. Obviously, they’ll need to change that, and the sooner the better.

It might start getting into their heads a little bit if they let Calgary get the first goal. So it really is essential that they come out hot on Saturday.

Avalanche goalie Philipp Grubauer, on the other hand, had a good game. He made 28 saves, earning a .903 save percentage.

What killed the Colorado Avalanche were special teams. They allowed two power play goals while failing to capitalize on four power play chances.

Anyway, the next game is on Saturday at 8:30 pm MT. Between now and then, if you stub your toe or the like, start cursing Matthew Tkachuk to get in the spirit of this series.

Side note: Cale Makar and his UMass Minutemen defeated the DU Pioneers, so they’ll be advancing to the Finals.