Analysis: Avs Drop 2023 Debut to Visiting Vegas

Turnovers and missed opportunities were the story of the night as Colorado continues to look disjointed.

Golden Knights 3, Avalanche 2
Game 36 | Tuesday, Jan. 2 | Ball Arena

“A confluence of circumstances.” 

That’s what Marc Moser called this game halfway through and it seems to be the perfect summary for it. A post at one end that led to a goal at the other. A missed call on a high stick that pulls the player out of position and leads directly to another goal. 

It’s so frustratingly cliche to say “a few bounces go our way and it’s a different game!” But that 100% fits tonight’s game. I hate saying that, too, because I agree with it… to a certain extent. 

On the other hand, the Avalanche were not good with the puck tonight. Too many giveaways for the home team (13), and not forcing Vegas (3) into making enough, which leads to too much time playing defense and not enough driving the play forward.

It’s funny, I thought the refs weren’t great tonight, but at the end of 60 minutes, the power plays were 5-1 in favor of the Avs. However, the power play needed to capitalize on those chances and didn’t and that’s why we’re looking at another regulation loss without a point.

Dater asked me to do grades for the game, but frankly, I suck at them. I get so hung up in the difference between a ‘B’ or a ‘B-’ or a ‘C’ or what grade you give players who barely see the ice… I get in my own head. So I’m going to try something new: whether I thought they made a positive (+) impact on the game, a negative (-) impact or they were a passive (-/+) contributor, not doing much of anything to warrant criticism or praise (Martin Kaut will fit in this mold a lot).

Is this a cop-out move? Yes… yes it is. But it’s my system and I want to at least try it out.

Erik Johnson (-/+): He had a shot in the first period that I liked for the time and location on the ice. And then I don’t remember a single other time even noticing him out there. A dash-1 player… but it wasn’t like he was at fault for the goal.