No. 2 key to a Colorado Avalanche series victory over Stars: Alexandar Georgiev needs to make the timely save
Georgiev was atrocious in Game 1 against the Jets. There’s no other way around it. The positive from that is that it appeared he knew he needed to be better, and he was, only giving up more than two goals once in the next four games.
The mercurial goaltender from Bulgaria was just that this season- hot and cold. His save percentage was middle of the road this season. He led the league in wins but had a goals-against average of over 3, (3.02) good for 35th in the league. The common question for most of the season from the Burgundy and Blue faithful was whether backup goalie Justus Annunen should see more playing time.
Play like Georgiev provided in the final four games of the first round will give the Avalanche a chance in this series. Coach Bednar, Chris MacFarland, and the rest of the brass don’t need lights-out goaltending- especially if the offense is scoring five goals a game.
The Avalanche do, however, need a timely save at the right time to move on. Georgiev is entirely capable of providing that. Much the same formula Colorado used to win the Cup not so long ago (2022) is the strategy they need to employ- and likely are- for the rest of this playoff campaign. A lot of scoring and solid goaltending with big saves in big situations sets the Avalanche on a path to winning this series. It worked for Darcy Kuemper and company on the way to the ultimate glory a few years back and Georgiev can emulate Kuemper this season to help key the Avalanche success.