COLORADO AVALANCHE (2-2) VS SEATTLE KRAKEN (2-2)
7:30 PM MT | BALL ARENA
Colorado will look to retake the lead in their series in Game 5 of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs against Seattle on Wednesday. It is down to a best of 3 series now.
The Colorado Avalanche will look to shift the momentum of the series at home against the Seattle Kraken in Game 5 of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Coverage begins at 7:30 PM MT. Colorado and Seattle are tied at two games apiece, 2-2, in this best-of-seven series
LAST TIME OUT – GAME 4 RECAP
The Colorado Avalanche were defeated by the Seattle Kraken 3-2 in overtime Monday night at Climate Pledge Arena. Forward Mikko Rantanen scored both goals for the Avs, his 27th and 28th postseason goals of his career, passing Gabriel Landeskog and Chris Drury to take over sole possession of sixth place on the franchise’s all-time postseason goals list. Rantanen’s two goals also brought his career postseason point total to 83, third-most in franchise history. Forward Evan Rodrigues assisted on Rantanen’s first goal to bring his assist total to 3, surpassing his previous best set in 2021-22.
Center Nathan MacKinnon also assisted on Rantanen’s first goal, while defenseman Samuel Girard and center J.T. Compher assisted on Rantanen’s second. Goaltender Alexandar Georgiev stopped 40 of the 43 shots that came his way.
For Seattle, defenseman Will Borgen and forwards Daniel Sprong and Jordan Eberle all scored, with Eberle netting the game-winner in overtime. While ex-Avs Goalie Philipp Grubauer turned away 20 of the 22 shots that he faced.
GOALTENDING:
Goaltender Alexandar Georgiev is now 2-2-0 in the postseason, with a 2.99 GAA and .908 sv%. The 43 shots he faced were the highest total he’s faced this series and the most in his postseason career.
Goalie Philipp Grubauer is also 2-2-0 in the playoffs, with a 2.76 GAA and .916 sv%. The 22 shots he faced were the lowest in the series so far.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Rantanen has tallied five goals in the series so far, equaling his career-high for goals in a playoff series set in 2019 (first round) against Calgary.
Cale Makar will be unavailable tonight, carrying out his suspension from the actions in period one of Game 4.
Avalanche center Lars Eller appeared in his 100th playoff game Monday night.
Justin Schultz became just the fourth NHL defender to earn at least one point in a franchise’s first four postseason games.
Defenseman Will Borgen and forward Daniel Sprong’s goals were both their first in the postseason.
QUOTE(S) THAT LEFT A MARK
“I thought Georgie was fantastic again tonight. Gave us a chance to hang around in a game that could’ve been a lot worse early.” Avalanche Head Coach Jared Bednar on netminder Alexandar Georgiev’s performance on Monday.
Quote Credit: Mason McFee @Avalanche / ColoradoAvalanche.com.
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