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Mikko Rantanen showing up big for Colorado Avalanche early

By Graham Tiedtke |
Oct 19, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) scores a goal past Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) in the second period at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) scores a goal past Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) in the second period at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

There is virtually no problem with the first line for the Colorado Avalanche with Artturi Lehkonen, Nathan MacKinnon, and Mikko Rantanen and it showed up big once again on Wednesday evening despite the team falling short in an overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets. While the Avalanche need to get some more goals from their bottom lines, Mikko Rantanen on the first line helped the team overcome a 2-0 deficit after the first period.

The end result was a 4-3 loss, but the way Rantanen was able to record two goals and an assist on three shots was proof that, well, the “Moose was Loose.” He finished the night with three points, assisting on the goal scored by Valeri Nichushkin.

Also notable for Rantanen: He has now become the 10th-highest-scoring player in Colorado Avalanche history, passing legend Alex Tanguay. Tanguay had 167 goals for the Avalanche during his nine seasons with Colorado. Rantanen came into the night with 166 in 411 games.

Currently, Rantanen is on pace to score 61.5 goals for the Avalanche during the regular season. He currently sits at nine points (three goals, six assists) through four games. That would make Mikko Rantanen the highest-scoring player in Avalanche history for a single season.

The question now is, can Rantanen keep that pace going? He did only have one goal heading into Wednesday night. It came in the team’s last game vs the Minnesota Wild.

If he is to come close to that sort of stat line, the Colorado Avalanche will have to improve their passing, which has been a major issue for the team early on this season. You want everything to be as simple as possible for the team and unfortunately, passing has not been their strong suit so far.

In the loss to the Jets, one turnover resulted in a power-play goal for the Jets.

Turnovers are one of the biggest things haunting this team. Despite that, they still sit at a 2-1-1 record. Ideally, you would have liked to have seen the team solve these issues in the preseason. Hopefully this is not something that will cause many more losses.

Part of the issue can be put on the fact that they have been missing and will be missing Gabriel Landeskog for an extended period of time.

Regardless, Avalanche fans are very fortunate to have Mikko Rantanen on their side of the ice.

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