Colorado Avalanche Lose Important Game to Minnesota Wild: Goalie Woes Continue

It took 33 seconds for the Minnesota Wild to score a goal. Thirty-three seconds…28 seconds. The second Wild goal was scored in 28 seconds. Two goals were scored in a span of one minute and one second.

The Minnesota Wild came to Colorado to play hockey. Apparently the Avalanche (read: Anderson) are still on the All-Star break. The Avalanche lost 4-3 to the Wild who were, prior to the game, one point ahead in a very tight Western Conference race.

The Avalanche have dropped to 12th place following their recent loss and sit a mere three points out of a playoff slot. Luckily for the Avalanche, fourth place sits only five points away. Unfortunately, the Avalanche are on a two-game slide, and it looks like it may get worse.

Craig Anderson, the “official” starting goaltender, sits with a subpar 3.12 GAA, and boosts a .903 save percentage. In 29 games Anderson has no shutouts and has allowed 85 goals. Last season Anderson had 186 allowed goals in 71 games. 

Backup goaltender Peter Budaj has a slightly worse 3.17 GAA. His save percentage sits at .894. Budaj has also let in 73 goals in his 25 games played.

If the Avalanche want to make any progress in their playoff hunt they have to address their goalie situation. Some possible solutions could include Jean-Sebastien Giguere (2.82 GAA, .896 save percent), or recently suspended Evgeni Nabokov.

Nabokov has not played an NHL game since the Sharks lost to the Blackhawks in the conference finals last season. He was recently suspended by the Islanders after failing to report to Long Island. He has stated that he only wants to play for a playoff contender so the Avalanche would be a perfect fit. 

Regardless of the Avalanche's decisions come trade deadline, Anderson’s .840 save percentage against the Wild just won’t cut it.