Mile High Sticking
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Surviving Seattle: Colorado Avalanche respond, sweep opening road series

By Scott Cole

TORONTO, CANADA - MARCH 15: Cale Makar #8 of the Colorado Avalanche waits for a faceoff against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on March 15, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Avalanche defeated the Maple Leafs 2-1 in overtime shootout. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - MARCH 15: Cale Makar #8 of the Colorado Avalanche waits for a faceoff against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on March 15, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Avalanche defeated the Maple Leafs 2-1 in overtime shootout. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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The Colorado Avalanche gained another win on the road to start their 2023-2024 NHL season after surviving the early, sometimes insurmountable pressure by the Seattle Kraken. Seattle presented the best early season test for the new-look Avalanche but failed to secure their first win during their home opener. Alexandar Georgiev faced his biggest test in net in recording his 3rd win of the season with a 37-save performance, his 101st career win in the NHL.

The larger storyline in this game was the animosity towards Colorado Avalanche star defenseman Cale Makar. Makar was suspended for one game in last year’s round one matchup against the Seattle Kraken after a hit against Seattle’s star forward and leading scorer Jared McCann. Makar would instantly become the most wanted man in Seattle for his actions and the fans in Seattle let him hear it every time he touched the puck. Booing aside, Makar continued his brilliance, netting his 250th point in his career with an assist on the game-winning goal scored by Logan O’Connor on the penalty kill.

Makar becomes the fastest defenseman to reach the 250-point mark in NHL history at 241 games. Makar passes Hall of Fame legends such as Bobby Orr (247 games), Denis Potvin (251 games), Brian Leetch (253 games), & Paul Coffey (260 games). With 68 goals and 132 assists, Makar is surely setting himself up for what continues to be a potentially historical career. Makar continues to play it cool and remains humble when the subject of comparison to some of the NHL’s greatest defensive players. With his career still in its metaphorical infancy, who can blame him for maintaining his humble approach to the game?

The NHL is full of some of the greatest players in the world. Makar keeps things close to the chest as he focuses solely on helping his team chase down their ultimate goal of winning multiple championships while they can with the roster they have.

Georgiev has put up three solid wins, posting a .958 save percentage allowing only four goals on 95 total shots. With Chicago coming into town for the Avalanche’s home opener, there is the chance that Georgiev gets a night off as the Colorado Avalanche face some tougher opponents in the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday, before heading to the East Coast for another three-game road trip. Georgiev has definitely earned a night off after standing tall in net for the Avs in Seattle, something head coach Jared Bednar is sure to reward the undrafted netminder with after the Avs’ early success. Expect the Avs to come out swinging as they look to dish out their own form of welcoming for rookie phenom Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night.

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