Colorado Avalanche Face Opening Season Challenge Against Vegas Golden Knights

The Colorado Avalanche commence their 2024-25 NHL season with an exciting match-up against the Vegas Golden Knights. The game, scheduled to start at 8:00 p.m. Mountain Time, will be broadcast live on TNT and Max, while radio listeners can tune in to Altitude Sports Radio AM 950.

The Avalanche face the challenging task of filling the void left by absent key players Valeri Nichushkin, Gabe Landeskog, and Arturri Lehkonen. The team’s young talents, including Cal Ritchie, Nikolai Kovalenko, Ivan Ivan, and Sam Malinski, have been called upon to step up against a formidable opponent.

“I don’t mind the challenge,” expressed Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar about facing the Golden Knights first. “We like to take our game to the highest point. It’s a good challenge for our team,” he told Adrian Hernandez.

On the roster, star players Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar remain crucial to the Avalanche’s success. With a strong core that includes MacKinnon, the league’s reigning MVP, and Makar, widely regarded as the league’s best defender, the Avalanche are hopeful despite challenges. Notably, this season holds significant implications for goaltender Alexandar Georgiev, who is in a contract year with prospects of promoting Justus Annunen if circumstances demand.

Opposing them, the Golden Knights, last season’s champions, enter the new season retaining key talents despite losing some depth. Adin Hill has been chosen as the starting goalie, and his performance could be pivotal to Vegas’s success this season.

As both teams aim to start their seasons on a high note, the game promises to show intense competition. Avalanches’ former player, Mike Rupp, recently commented on their prospects, stating that the “Avs are one injury away from the wheels falling off,” reflecting on the precarious depth in the lineup.

Expectations remain high as the Avalanche start their season. Particular attention will be on how young players rise to the occasion and whether Georgiev can solidify his standing as the primary goaltender.