A troubling trend for the Colorado Avalanche is overshadowed by early goaltending returns.

The Colorado Avalanche, a franchise once defined by dominance and championship pedigree, entered the 2024-2025 season with high hopes and expectations. Fresh off a strong season that saw them come close to another Stanley Cup title, the Avalanche were poised to compete for the ultimate prize once again. With a core group of talent, led by superstars like Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Cale Makar, there was a prevailing belief that Colorado could stay competitive in the Western Conference.

However, as the season has unfolded, a troubling trend has begun to emerge for the Avalanche that threatens to derail their championship aspirations. Despite possessing an elite roster, the team has shown signs of inconsistency that have raised concerns both internally and externally. Whether it’s lapses in defensive zone coverage, struggles in special teams, or underperformance from key players, these issues have cast a shadow over the team’s potential.

Yet, despite these growing concerns, one area has provided a silver lining for the Avalanche: goaltending. Early returns from both of their goaltenders, Alexandar Georgiev and the recently-acquired backup, have shown that Colorado’s netminding situation may be one of the few things keeping them afloat in the midst of this turbulent start to the season.

The Goaltending Bright Spot: Georgiev’s Resilience

To understand why goaltending has become a shining beacon in an otherwise turbulent season for the Avalanche, it’s important to first take a closer look at the performance of their number one netminder, Alexandar Georgiev.

Georgiev, who has been the starting goaltender for Colorado since being acquired from the New York Rangers in 2022, has been a reliable presence in net since stepping into the role. In his first full season with the Avalanche, Georgiev posted a solid 2.53 goals-against average (GAA) and a .919 save percentage, numbers that were in line with his expected level of play. This strong performance in 2023-2024 earned him the starting job heading into the current campaign.

In the 2024-2025 season, Georgiev has continued to perform at a high level despite facing a number of challenges. The goaltender has been forced to contend with an inconsistent defense in front of him, which has led to more high-danger scoring chances against him than expected. Despite this, Georgiev’s numbers have been impressive, keeping the Avalanche in many games where they might have otherwise fallen behind.

Through the early portion of the season, Georgiev has posted a .917 save percentage and a GAA of 2.45, keeping Colorado competitive even when other aspects of their game have faltered. His ability to steal games for the team has been a major talking point, especially as the Avalanche have struggled to put together consistent team play. The goaltender’s quick reflexes, calm demeanor in high-pressure situations, and ability to make clutch saves have made him one of the few constants in an otherwise unpredictable season.

One of Georgiev’s greatest strengths has been his consistency. Whether the team is on a losing streak or in the midst of a tough stretch, Georgiev can be counted on to provide a stabilizing presence between the pipes. His play has often been the difference in games where Colorado’s offensive output has been sluggish or the defensive coverage has broken down.

The Backup Situation: A Hidden Gem

While Georgiev has solidified his role as the clear number one option, another bright spot in Colorado’s goaltending has been the performance of their backup goaltender. Entering the season, there were some questions surrounding the Avalanche’s depth at the goaltender position after trading away Pavel Francouz, who had been a reliable backup for several years.

The Avalanche filled this void by bringing in a veteran presence to back up Georgiev, and early returns have been encouraging. The backup goaltender, who has impressed in his limited appearances, has been able to step in and provide solid performances when called upon. This has helped take some of the load off Georgiev’s shoulders and allowed the team to rest their starter without significantly sacrificing goaltending quality.

Through the early portion of the season, the backup has posted a respectable .912 save percentage and a 2.60 GAA. While he hasn’t been tasked with starting a majority of games, his ability to provide stability and give Georgiev needed rest is crucial for the long-term success of the team.

Troubling Trends Elsewhere: Defensive Inconsistencies

Despite the bright spot in goaltending, the Avalanche have faced troubling trends in other areas of the game. The team’s defensive structure has been a major concern for much of the season, with Colorado’s blueline showing signs of fragility and lapses in coverage.

Colorado’s defense, which was once considered one of the team’s greatest strengths, has had difficulty limiting high-danger chances. In several games, opposing teams have been able to exploit the Avalanche’s defense, creating breakaways, odd-man rushes, and easy tap-in goals. While some of these issues can be attributed to injuries and personnel changes, there are systemic problems that have yet to be solved.

Cale Makar, regarded as one of the best defensemen in the league, has faced scrutiny for his inconsistency this season. While Makar remains an offensive force, his defensive zone coverage has occasionally been called into question. Alongside him, fellow defenseman Devon Toews has also experienced stretches of uncharacteristic play. Both players, while still elite in many aspects, have been caught out of position or made mistakes that have resulted in goals against.

Another issue for the Avalanche has been the lack of defensive depth. While they still possess a top-tier top pair in Makar and Toews, the depth on the third pairing and beyond has been questionable. Injuries to players like Josh Manson have further stretched the depth, leaving the team with inexperienced or less reliable options on the backend. As a result, the defense has been exposed at times, forcing Georgiev to bail them out with multiple high-quality saves.

Special Teams Struggles

In addition to defensive lapses, the Avalanche have also faced challenges in special teams. Historically, Colorado has been known for a strong power play, led by the creative offensive minds of players like MacKinnon, Rantanen, and Makar. However, this season, the team’s power play has struggled to find consistency. Their power play percentage is down from previous seasons, and they have often been unable to capitalize on key opportunities during games.

The penalty kill, while not as glaringly problematic, has also faced inconsistencies. Opponents have found ways to break down Colorado’s penalty kill structure, scoring at times with ease when on the man advantage. In a tight playoff race, these special teams inconsistencies can prove costly, as power plays and penalty kills often play a decisive role in determining game outcomes.

The Offense: More Than Just the Stars

While MacKinnon, Rantanen, and Makar have continued to perform at a high level offensively, the Avalanche have struggled to find consistent secondary scoring. Depth scoring has been an issue for the team, with players like Arturi Lehkonen, Alex Newhook, and J.T. Compher failing to find a regular rhythm.

The lack of secondary scoring puts added pressure on the top line to carry the offensive load, which can be a difficult task over the course of an 82-game season. When the team’s top stars are stifled by tough defensive matchups or inconsistent play, the Avalanche’s offense has faltered. Without depth contributions, it becomes increasingly difficult to sustain offensive pressure.