DENVER — Just two games in and the Colorado Avalanche appear to have a glaring problem.
Colorado is still looking for its first win of the season after a 6-4 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets in the team's home opener at Ball Arena on Saturday night.
Goaltending has been a struggle for the Avalanche, who have given up 14 goals in the first two games of the early 2024-25 NHL season.
Starting in net both games was Alexandar Georgiev, who was eventually pulled and replaced by backup Justus Annunen in both matchups (the first an 8-4 blowout in Las Vegas to the Golden Knights on Wednesday).
Still, head coach Jared Bednar insists Georgiev will remain Colorado's starter despite giving up eight goals thus far.
"I get that there's a level of frustration, but (Georgiev) is our guy. He's our starter," Bednar said. "I have full faith that he has the ability, the talent, the work ethic to bounce back and win us hockey games. It's a mental game right now."
Nathan MacKinnon — who was honored before the game with his Hart Memorial Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award MVPs — scored 8 seconds before the first intermission to put Colorado on the board, trailing 2-1.
The Avalanche could never close the gap to the Blue Jackets despite goals from Miles Wood, Casey Mittelstadt (his second of the season) and Ross Colton.
"I feel like we get one (goal) then give one up. That can be tough," Mittelstadt said after the loss. "We have some things we have to clean up defensively. We're giving up too many chances and too many goals."
Colorado will look to bounce back Monday when the Avalanche host the New York Islanders. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. (MT) at Ball Arena.