Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar said starting goaltender Alexandar Georgiev "has to reset and go play better" after allowing seven goals during Game 1 of their opening-round playoff series against the Winnipeg Jets.
Bednar spoke to reporters Monday, a day after the Avalanche lost 7-6 to the Jets.
Georgiev, who made only 16 saves, remained in net for the entire game as the Winnipeg crowd at Canada Life Centre chanted "Pull the goalie!"
"It’s going to be about mental toughness, right," Bednar said. "Not just for him, for our group. ... If you’re dwelling on the past in the playoffs, then you’re not setting yourself up for success the next night, and [Georgiev] is no different.
"He’s got to reset and go play better than he did last night."
Backup goalie Justus Annunen, who missed Game 1 due to illness, is still sick. The Avalanche recalled netminder Ivan Prosvetov from the Colorado Eagles while Arvid Holm, who served as the backup for Game 1, was reassigned to the American Hockey League club.
Game 2 is Tuesday night in Winnipeg.
Georgiev posted a 38-15-5 record, 3.02 goals-against average and .897 save percentage in 63 games during the regular season.
Colorado captured the Stanley Cup in 2022 with Darcy Kuemper as its starter. Kuemper left the team as an unrestricted free agent just weeks later, signing with the Washington Capitals. The Avalanche acquired Georgiev's rights from the New York Rangers and signed him to a three-year, $10.2-million contract.
The Avalanche's title defence last year ended in the first round as they fell to the Seattle Kraken in seven games.
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