Avalanche's Alexandar Georgiev: Gives up three goals in loss Monday
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Georgiev stopped 21 of 24 shots in Monday's 5-2 loss to the Blackhawks. The Avalanche also gave up two empty-netters in the final minute of the third period.
Georgiev returned to the Avalanche's crease after a four-game absence Monday, but his struggles continued and earned his fourth defeat across six appearances. The 28-year-old netminder has yet to post a save percentage above .880 in any of his outings this season, translating to a 4.62 GAA and an .822 save percentage overall. Given his subpar results this season, Georgiev should continue in a backup role for Colorado for the foreseeable future.
Georgiev will be between the pipes for Monday's home matchup versus the Blackhawks, per Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette.
Georgiev will make his sixth start against a Blackhawks club averaging 2.44 goals over nine outings. The 28-year-old earned his first win of the campaign on Oct. 18 versus Anaheim, but he hasn't made an appearance since then, a result of his early season struggles. Georgiev has allowed at least three goals in each of his five appearances, but he draws a favorable matchup in Chicago -- the Blackhawks are second-to-last in goals for per game.
Georgiev stopped 17 of 20 shots in Friday's 4-3 overtime win over the Ducks.
The Avalanche trailed for a long portion of the game despite controlling the pace of play. Georgiev also allowed the game-tying goal with 13 seconds left in regulation, but Nathan MacKinnon tallied in overtime to secure the team's first win of the campaign. This outing won't change the narrative around Georgiev, but a win is a win. He's allowed a total of 20 goals across five outings while posting a 1-3-0 record. The Avalanche begin a three-game road trip Sunday in San Jose. For now, Georgiev remains the No. 1 goalie, but he could be pressured by Justus Annunen or Kaapo Kahkonen if he doesn't get in a groove soon.
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Avalanche's Alexandar Georgiev: Gets starting nod against Ducks
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Georgiev will defend the home crease versus Anaheim on Friday, Ryan Boulding of NHL.com reports.
Georgiev has been terrible in the early going, as he's 0-3-0 in four starts, with a 5.80 GAA and an .802 save percentage. He was pulled in each of his first two starts and has given up a whopping 17 goals on only 86 shots. Georgiev needs to turn things around quickly, or Justus Annunen could get a crack at the No. 1 job in Colorado. The Ducks are tied for 29th in NHL scoring with eight goals in three games.
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Avalanche's Alexandar Georgiev: Set to start Wednesday
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Georgiev is slated to start in the home crease during Wednesday's game against Boston, Alex Rajaniemi of Altitude Sports Radio reports.
Georgiev has struggled early in the season, posting an 0-2-0 record, 6.55 GAA and .790 save percentage over three appearances. He gave up five goals on 37 shots during Monday's loss to the Islanders but will have a chance to bounce back against the Bruins at home Wednesday.
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Avalanche's Alexandar Georgiev: Woeful outing once again
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Georgiev allowed five goals on 37 shots in Monday's 6-2 loss to the Islanders. The sixth goal was an empty-netter with 1:12 left in the third period.
On the bright side, Georgiev wasn't pulled from his start in this game, but his woeful start to the season continues. Aside from the 0-2-0 record and an abysmal .790 save percentage, Georgiev has given up 13 goals on 62 shots through three appearances. It wouldn't be surprising if the Avs decide to shake things up between the posts shortly, and the team's next game is Wednesday at home against the Bruins.
Georgiev will patrol the home crease Monday against the Islanders, per Ethan Sears of the New York Post.
Georgiev has surrendered eight goals on 25 shots while being pulled in his first two starts this season. The Avalanche and Islanders are both winless heading into Monday's contest. Colorado has allowed 14 goals through two games this campaign.
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Avalanche's Alexandar Georgiev: Yanked again Saturday
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Georgiev stopped six of nine shots before being replaced by Justus Annunen in the second period of Saturday's 6-4 loss to the Blue Jackets.
Georgiev has been pulled in his first two games of the season, giving up eight goals on 25 shots. He was spared the loss this time, as the Avalanche rallied to cover his damage right after he exited the game. After the contest, head coach Jared Bednar gave Georgiev a vote of confidence by telling reporters, "he's our guy," per Ryan Boulding of NHL.com. Still, fantasy managers are likely already thin on patience with the 28-year-old netminder. Colorado's next game is at home versus the Islanders, and while Georgiev still has a grip on the starting job, it's loosening by the game, though Annunen has also struggled in his two relief outings.
Georgiev will be between the pipes in Saturday's home game against Columbus, per Avalanche play-by-play announcer Conor McGahey.
Georgiev allowed five goals on 16 shots in Wednesday's 8-4 loss to Vegas. In his lone appearance versus the Blue Jackets during the 2023-24 regular season, he stopped 23 shots in a 6-1 victory.
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Avalanche's Alexandar Georgiev: Pulled in Wednesday's loss
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Georgiev allowed five goals on 16 shots in Wednesday's 8-4 loss to the Golden Knights.
Georgiev played the first two frames before being replaced by Justus Annunen in net for the third period. Georgiev looked off starting with the first goal -- he cheated off his post and was beaten cleanly on a short-side shot by Victor Olofsson. Georgiev is an unrestricted free agent after this season, so he should have a lot to prove in order to secure a long-term contract. The Bulgarian netminder's next chance to rebound will come Saturday against Columbus.
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Avalanche's Alexandar Georgiev: Slated to guard road goal
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Georgiev is slated to start on the road against Vegas on Wednesday, per Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette.
Although Georgiev got 38 wins in the 2023-24 regular season, that was largely thanks to Colorado's offensive might, as the goaltender struggled with a 3.02 GAA and an .897 save percentage across 63 appearances. The 28-year-old will look to do better this campaign, but facing the Golden Knights in Vegas is a tough opening assignment. The Golden Knights went 27-12-2 at home while averaging 3.29 goals per game during the 2023-24 regular season.
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Avalanche's Alexandar Georgiev: Loses to Utah
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Georgiev surrendered two goals on 20 shots in Saturday's 2-1 preseason loss to Utah.
It was a low-scoring contest featuring NHL-level rosters for the most part on both sides. Georgiev allowed goals to Dylan Guenther and Nick Schmaltz in the contest and gave up 10 goals on 73 shots over three preseason contests, though six came in a loss to Vegas on Tuesday. The 28-year-old netminder should be between the pipes for Opening Night on Wednesday in Vegas, but Georgiev will need to play well to fend off Justus Annunen's push for a larger role.
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Avalanche's Alexandar Georgiev: Set to start Saturday
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Georgiev is expected to start on the road against Utah in Saturday's preseason game, according to Belle Fraser of The Salt Lake Tribune.
Georgiev will look for a better result after stopping 31 of 37 shots in a 6-1 exhibition loss to Vegas on Tuesday. The 28-year-old had a 38-18-5 record with a 3.02 GAA and an .897 save percentage in 63 regular-season outings with the Avalanche in 2023-24. He's set to open the campaign as Colorado's No. 1 goaltender, with Justus Annunen slated to serve as his understudy.
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Avalanche's Alexandar Georgiev: Torched for six goals
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Georgiev allowed six goals on 37 shots in Tuesday's 6-1 preseason loss to the Golden Knights.
The Avalanche didn't have a particularly veteran roster on the ice, but this wasn't a great showing for Georgiev. The 28-year-old goalie has allowed eight goals on 53 shots over his two preseason appearances, though Justus Annunen isn't doing much better with six goals against on 52 shots. Georgiev is still the No. 1 for Colorado, but his grip on that role is tenuous as he enters a contract year.
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Avalanche's Alexandar Georgiev: In goal Tuesday
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Georgiev will get the starting nod at home versus Vegas on Tuesday, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.
Georgiev has played in 60-plus games in each of the Avs' previous two seasons, including the 2023-24 campaign in which he posted a 38-18-5 record to go with a 3.02 GAA, .897 save percentage and two shutouts. Few goalies in the league would still rack up that many wins with a sub-.900 save percentage, but Georgiev has the benefit of playing behind one of the top offenses in the league. Still, if the 28-year-old backstop can't improve those numbers, the team could decide to give youngster Justus Annunen some more opportunities this season.
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Avalanche's Alexandar Georgiev: Starting against Dallas
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Georgiev will tend twine in Friday's road preseason game versus the Stars, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.
Georgiev will make his first start of the preseason and play half of the contest, while fellow netminder Kevin Mandolese will finish the game. Despite playing in 125 contests over the past two campaigns, Georgiev could be pushed by No. 2 goaltender Justus Annunen for playing time in 2024-25. The 28-year-old Georgiev went 38-18-5 with an .897 save percentage and a 3.02 GAA across 63 regular-season appearances in 2023-24. He is eligible for unrestricted free agency next summer.
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Avalanche's Alexandar Georgiev: Takes double-overtime loss
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Georgiev allowed two goals on 38 shots in Friday's 2-1 double-overtime loss to the Stars in Game 6.
The Avalanche caught a break in the first overtime when a potential Stars goal was overturned for goaltender interference. There would be no rescue for Georgiev after Matt Duchene came back to haunt one of his former teams with a tally 11:42 into the second overtime. Georgiev went 6-5 with a 2.85 GAA and an .897 save percentage over 11 playoff contests, numbers roughly in line with his regular-season performance. After playing 143 games between the regular season and playoffs over the last two years, the Avalanche may be motivated to make sure the 28-year-old sees a smaller workload in 2024-25, though he should still be the primary starter entering the final year of his current contract.
Georgiev will get the starting nod for Game 6 at home against the Stars on Friday.
Georgiev wasn't very sharp in Game 5 but still managed to earn a win despite allowing three goals on 26 shots. He's registered an unsightly .880 save percentage through five games this series. Georgiev owns a 3.09 GAA and an .886 save percentage in 10 postseason appearances.
Georgiev stopped 23 of 26 shots in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Stars in Game 5.
Georgiev didn't have a lead to work with until Casey Mittelstadt put the Avalanche up 3-2 in the third period. Cale Makar tallied shortly after that, and Georgiev was able to guide the Avalanche to the win, keeping their season alive and forcing a Game 6 on Friday. The 28-year-old goalie is 6-4 over 10 playoff appearances, but he's given up 31 goals, including at least three markers in four of the five contests so far in the second round.
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Avalanche's Alexandar Georgiev: Tending twine in Game 5
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Georgiev will protect the road goal versus the Stars in Wednesday's Game 5, Tracey Myers of NHL.com reports.
Georgiev has lost three straight games, allowing 10 goals on 85 shots in that span. Despite the slump, head coach Jared Bednar is sticking by his No. 1 goalie with the Avalanche's season on the line Wednesday. If Georgiev can pick up a win, the series will shift back to Colorado for Game 6 on Friday.
