Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin’s goal in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals may have been a small spark, but his team hopes it ignited a fire.
“It was big for him. Anytime you’re frustrated with your production and you’re not scoring easy, you got to make sure that you’re creating the right chances and going to the right areas,” head coach Jared Bednar said.
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The 31-year-old played on the third line with Ross Colton and Nazem Kadri. But he has moved up and down the lineup this season.
MORE: WTPU: What the Avalanche lacked in the Game 1 loss to the Golden Knights
“That’s the positive with our group. You know everybody’s interchangeable and has that chemistry. But us in particular, we had a real good night,” Kadri said. “Probably should have had a couple more goals, but we’ll certainly look to continue that.”
Colton on Nichushkin: ‘He does a little bit of everything’
Nichushkin has been struggling to get on the scoresheet recently. He had eight points in his last 10 regular-season games and was held scoreless in five of them. In 10 postseason games, he has two goals (one even-strength, one empty-net) and two assists.
For perspective, in the 2022 Cup run, he had 15 points in 20 games. But the lack of numbers doesn’t mean he’s not producing.
“Val plays hard and heavy and fast.
“Obviously, you want to get rewarded, but he does so many little things right that maybe if he’s not showing up on the scoresheet, he’s doing other things to help the team. He’s big, he forechecks, he gets around the net, he creates chaos. He’s good on the PK and the power play so he does a little bit of everything. So hopefully that one, they come in bunches this time of year. He’s doing the little things right, so he’s not worried about it,” Colton said.
How Bednar is dealing with Nichushkin
The 6-foot-4 Russian has shown frustration as he has tried to work through this scoring slump.
“We all believe in Val and know what he can contribute to our team when he’s playing well. And there’s not too many nights where he’s not good on the defensive side of things. But he knows that he can contribute. Part of it for Val is getting out of his own way,” Bednar said after Game 1 of the second-round series against the Minnesota Wild. “And mentally resetting after games that he’s unhappy or frustrated with on the offensive side of things. Just getting ready to enter the next game with a clear mind and stay in the moment, and give himself a break every once in a while and not beat himself up too much.”
READ MORE: How the Avalanche compare to the Golden Knights
Bednar has one-on-ones with his players to guide them through good and bad in their game. He reviews video and offers solutions. While it is ultimately on the player to figure out what they need to do, Bednar checks in to see what he can do in the process.
“(I) plan on talking to Val tomorrow. Look where he scores his goal, right? And if you look at a couple of other chances he had on the night, they’re right in the blue paint, and historically it’s where Val tends to get his best chances,” Bednar said on Thursday. “He needs to continue to head there and hang around there and go to battle there in order to keep creating those chances. Some of that’s on his line mates, but some of that’s on him too.”
The significance of Nichushkin’s goal
Since Nichushkin does not speak to the media, his emotions are interpreted through his actions. He was pretty fired up after he scored that goal. And it can take just one to open the floodgates.
“I feel like he’s been still working hard. It just hasn’t bounced his way. Of course, it’s good he got us going last game. Yeah, I’m sure he’s going to be fine,” Artturi Lehkonen said.
How important is Nichushkin’s postseason production to the Avalanche? Mile High Sports.
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