Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon has given his thoughts on the team’s recent victory, praising the overall performance but expressing frustration with goaltender Alexandar Georgiev’s display against the Los Angeles Kings. While the Avs came out on top, securing an important win, MacKinnon was not entirely pleased with Georgiev’s moments of vulnerability that almost cost the team, particularly in a game where the defense seemed less than airtight.

MacKinnon, known for his candidness and passion, pointed out that while the team secured the win, the defensive lapses and some questionable goalkeeping had the Avalanche on edge. “We’ve got to clean up some things, particularly in our own zone. It’s never easy when we get into those situations where we’re scrambling. But we’re happy with the two points, for sure,” MacKinnon said, before turning his attention to Georgiev’s performance.

The 28-year-old Bulgarian goaltender, who has been the starting netminder for Colorado since taking over for Darcy Kuemper, had an up-and-down night against the Kings. While Georgiev made some crucial saves, including a few key stops in the final moments of the game, he also appeared to have trouble controlling the puck at times, leading to a few flops and easy rebounds that the Kings could have capitalized on. MacKinnon didn’t mince words when asked about his goaltender’s performance: “There were some moments where we were all holding our breath. Georgie’s been solid for us, but those flops, those are things we need to clean up. We can’t have those in big games like this one.”

MacKinnon’s frustration was palpable, as he highlighted the importance of strong goaltending in the Avalanche’s bid for another deep playoff run. The forward acknowledged that Georgiev is a talented goaltender but emphasized that consistency is key, especially when it comes to high-pressure situations. “We all know Georgie’s a great goalie,” MacKinnon continued. “But when you’re in the heat of the game, you can’t afford to give up those kinds of goals, especially against a team like the Kings who are fast and opportunistic.”

Despite the hiccups in net, the Avalanche’s offense, led by MacKinnon himself, delivered. The team’s top players stepped up, with MacKinnon contributing both offensively and in the defensive zone. His leadership has been critical in keeping the team focused and driving them forward in what could be a competitive season for the Avs.

Looking ahead, the Avalanche know they’ll need more consistency, especially from Georgiev, if they’re to contend for another Stanley Cup. MacKinnon’s comments, while critical, were not meant to diminish Georgiev’s overall value but rather to underscore the fine margins that separate championship-caliber teams from the rest. The win was important, but as MacKinnon knows, the road to success is paved with both victory and self-improvement.