Good & Bad: Mikko Rantanen Was Everywhere In The Avalanche’s 5-3 Loss To Boston

DENVER — It took the Avalanche far too long to find their game on Wednesday. Their attempt to erase a three-goal deficit fell short in the third period of yet another loss, this time 5-3 to the Boston Bruins. Colorado is 0-4 for just the second time in team history and first time since 1998-99.

The roller coaster of a game stuck out for one player in particular. At times his actions were hurting the team. But by the end, he had nearly helped the Avs tie it up.

The Good: Mikko Rantanen

I thought an angry Mikko Rantanen would ignite a new level of hockey — the type of fire that would help dig the Avalanche out of this brutal winless start to the season.

It seemed to have the opposite effect at first, but then Rantanen came through. In a huge way.

It all started in the second period. Rantanen was called for interference after colliding with Brad Marchand in the Avs zone. Rantanen was called for interference and instantly wasn’t pleased with the call. It looked, to me, like an interference, but it also looked like an embellishment on Boston’s captain that went uncalled. Rantanen, while complaining to the official, eventually found himself in the middle of a scrum after he and Trent Frederic got tied up along the boards.

Boston scored on that power play to take a 3-1 lead. And on the very next shift, head coach Jared Bednar sent Rantanen, Nathan MacKinnon, and Nikolai Kovalenko onto the ice. Was angry Mikko going to be unleashed? Nope. Boston scored again just 13 seconds later off a well-executed screen in front of Alexandar Georgiev by John Beecher. 4-1.

Rantanen became the most intriguing player to watch. Colorado eventually went back on the power play and Rantanen set up Cale Makar for a blast from the point to make it 4-2. In the third period, Rantanen was called for another penalty, this time for a blatant hook on David Pastrnak. The Avs weathered the storm and killed the penalty. But Rantanen, out of the box, was steaming. He nearly was called for another penalty before getting cross-checked by Riley Tufte behind the Avs goal. There was no penalty on the play initially, but after Rantanen turned and screamed at the official, the arm went up, and the Avs were back on the PP.

All it took was 23 seconds. Rantanen wired one home on the ensuing man advantage, pulling the Avs within a goal early in the third period.

The Bad: Oliver Kylington

The fit just isn’t there. And I wonder if John Ludvig is back in the lineup on Friday in favor of Kylington. The Avs’ new defenseman stuck out in a bad way in every way. For starters, he struggles to play with Makar. The fit just isn’t there between the two of them. But his decision-making has also been questionable at times. I don’t think Calvin de Haan has fared much better either. But if two of the three new guys have to play with Toews out, then it’s gotta be Ludvig and de Haan. At least for now until Kylington improves during practice.