Alexandar Georgiev bounces back, helps Avalanche shut down Red Wings

DETROIT — The Colorado Avalanche need better play from Alexandar Georgiev in the bigger picture of the 2024-25 season, but the guys in front of their beleaguered goaltender really needed him to deliver Saturday night.

And he did.

Behind a strong effort from Georgiev and a much-needed power-play goal from the top unit, the Avalanche gutted out a 2-1 victory against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena. Georgiev helped the Avs through some rough patches in the opening 40 minutes, then the team put forth one of its best defensive efforts in the third period.

The Red Wings had just one shot on goal in the first 17 minutes of the third before a flurry at the end with the goalie pulled. Then it was the Georgiev show, including six saves in 17 seconds at one point.

“He was outstanding,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said. “Especially when we needed it. Key saves to keep it 1-0, key saves to keep it 2-1 and then the flurry at the end.

“(Georgiev) was awesome to help secure that win.”

Valeri Nichushkin put the Avalanche on the board first with the lone goal of the first period. Nichushkin’s initial shot went off a Detroit defenseman, but he collected the loose puck and didn’t miss on his second try.

It’s the sixth goal of the season in 11 games for Nichushkin. He also scored three straight goals for the club, including the final two to give them a chance at the end of the game Thursday night in Raleigh, N.C.

“He’s such an impactful guy,” Avs defenseman Cale Makar said. “He can play virtually anywhere — top two lines, PK, power play — wherever you want. He’s been huge for us. He eats a lot of minutes and is starting to play really well.

“He’s starting to find his feet. When he’s driving his feet, really nobody in the league can stop him.”

The Avalanche held the lead after the first period for only the sixth time this season, and for the first time in 15 games. Colorado is now 6-0 in games when it leads at the first intermission.

Ross Colton, playing for the first time since Oct. 28 because of a broken foot, drew a penalty early in the second period. Colorado’s top power-play unit has cooled off recently but didn’t need long to convert the chance against Detroit’s 31st-ranked penalty kill.

Makar played catch with Nathan MacKinnon before finding a lane near the top of the offensive zone. Nichushkin provided the screen in front, and Makar collected his ninth goal of the season. MacKinnon leads the NHL with 32 assists, while Makar leads all defensemen with nine goals and 35 points.

“It’s great,” Makar said of the power play scoring. “Val had a really good screen in front of the net. That doesn’t happen without him or (Artturi Lehkonen) in the slot.

The Avs had a two-goal lead for much of the second period but also weren’t playing very well, and eventually the Red Wings were able to break through. Lucas Raymond got a piece of a Dylan Larkin perimeter shot with 1:47 left in the middle period.

Georgiev stopped the first 20 shots from Detroit, including several excellent chances. This was his first action since being pulled in the first period Tuesday in Buffalo after allowing four goals in less than 11 minutes. Scott Wedgewood relieved him and stopped all 22 shots he faced as the Avs roared back to win 5-4 against the Sabres.

Wedgewood played pretty well in the 5-3 loss to Carolina two nights ago, particularly early when Colorado was under siege. The Avs’ newest goaltender will get his second start Sunday night against the New Jersey Devils, one of his former teams.

This was a very different opening period for Georgiev, and it turned out to be one of his best performances of the season.

“It’s definitely nice to get a lead and try to hold onto it,” Georgiev said. “Either way, I just felt having a good start was huge.”

Colton returns: The original timeline for Colton after breaking his foot blocking a shot Oct. 28 against Chicago was 6-8 weeks. He made it back in 40 days, crediting the club’s training staff while also noting that he had set Sunday’s game in New Jersey as a goal for his return. The Garden State native will have plenty of friends and family at Prudential Center for the Avs’ matchup against the Devils.

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