Alexandar Georgiev has proven over the past two seasons that his best performances are often reserved for the New York Rangers — his former team. Especially on the road.
At Madison Square Garden on Monday, Georgiev made 27 stops and was far and away the Avalanche’s best player. Despite that, a late game-tying goal from New York’s Artemi Panarin and an overtime game-winner from Alexis Lafreniere spoiled the first-time NHL All-Star’s second return to MSG.
Colorado began its six-game road trip with a 2-1 loss in OT, gaining a point in the standings ahead of the back end of its back-to-back in New Jersey on Tuesday.
Nathan MacKinnon had the Avs’ only goal. His 32nd of the season extended his point streak to 14 games. MacKinnon tallied the opening goal late in the first period after receiving a pass from fellow All-Star Cale Makar and breaking in past several Rangers skaters before firing it past goalie Jonathan Quick.
MacKinnon is back on top of the NHL points race — tied with Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov with 85 points. He also has the most points in franchise history through the team’s first 50 games of any season.
Aside from MacKinnon’s goal, an entertaining back-and-forth affair in the first period saw Colorado fail to capitalize on three power-play opportunities — its only three of the evening. The Avs were also 1-for-1 on the penalty kill.
Zach Parise made his season debut with the Avalanche, playing on the second line alongside center Ryan Johansen and winger Artturi Lehkonen. Parise sprinkled in some solid shifts throughout the game, even drawing a penalty on a scoring opportunity on his first shift. He finished with three shots and one blocked shot in 11:24.