Friday Feels: The Bednar Boost
Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Jared Bednar went off against Buffalo and it rocked He’s the definition of calm, cool, and collected night in and night out, so when Colorado Avalanche coach Jared Bednar gets heated it has a huge impact on the team. That was on display in a major way on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres, when the referees declined to blow the play dead while Scott Wedgewood writhed in pain in the net and allowed Zach Benson to score a wraparound goal.
Crazy sequence here:Benson is knocked into Wedgewood who goes down hurtBenson scored and a brawl ensues4-2 SabresHoping for the best for Wedgewood <3 pic.twitter.com/DKZqrBIt62— Crossing Swords ⚔️ (@CrossSwordsPod) January 3, 2025
I think anyone would agree this should not have counted, even the Sabres pod that posted that clip. When a skater is down injured in an area of the ice where it is dangerous, referees routinely blow the play dead to ensure player safety — how could that standard not apply to a goaltender literally in the net?
Clearly Sam Girard in that clip was pissed off about it, but Jared Bednar took it to another level - ranting at the referees and eventually challenging the play just to make them watch their incompetence play out on an iPad with all their bosses in Toronto over their shoulders. Here’s Bednar talking about it postgame (Trigger warning: he does some swear words):
An incredible explanation and raw reaction from #GoAvsGo Jared Bednar on the play that injured Scott Wedgewood which resulted in a goal. “For them to just let it go and allow the goal is just insanity to me.” (Via @DNVR_Avalanche) pic.twitter.com/0dCrHIlyJI— Jonny Lazarus (@JLazzy23) January 3, 2025
I don’t think I’ve ever heard him swear in a press conference before, and that’s just how mad he was after the Avs come back to win — I can only imagine what he said on the bench in the moment right after the play. His players don’t have to imagine it though, and they were so fired up by their righteous anger from the play and their coach standing up to injustice that they went on a tear, turning a game that had been pretty bland for two periods into a beatdown comeback win. Look at this graph:
The Avs had started to pick up their play a little bit in the second period, but then after this insane sequence they simply ran over Buffalo. Colorado controlled play in all three zones all period (except one stupid Jason Zucker goal after the refs let a dude kick Keaton Middleton’s feet out from under him behind the net) and turned a 4-2 deficit into a 6-5 OT win.
That’s some motivational power right there. I don’t need Bednar to do this more often - the fact that it’s so rare is what makes it so powerful - but god do I love he has this in his back pocket for when he needs it.
FRIDAY FEELS
First Feels of the new year - lets do a classic new years In/Out!
IN: Jonathan Drouin over a point per game
Yeah he’s only played seven games this year, but Drouin’s potted three goals and dished five assist in those games. With some stints on the top line with MacKinnon and Rantanen and a regular role on the top powerplay unit, it’s a genuine possibility that Drouin racks up around 40 points the second half of the season. I say do it!
OUT: Keaton Middleton as a regular NHLer
Look I hate to bag on a guy who just got a contract extension and who is clearly a great teammate, but he is just not the caliber of NHL defender you see getting regular minutes for a healthy defense on a cup contender. He’s a bigger, less skilled, Jack Johnson, albeit younger with theoretically a little room to grow still as he gets more comfortable at NHL game speed. The Avs won a cup with Jack, but I just don’t see this team rolling into the playoffs with Middsy as more than a 7th/8th option - there has to be a move coming, unless the plan is to get Oliver Kylington healthy in time to win the job before the trade deadline.
IN: Kivi - Kelly - Logie shutdown line
With a fully healthy lineup, this would be among the best fourth lines in the league. As it is right now, they’re a very solid third line, which no one saw coming entering this season. O’Connor was coming off hip surgery, Kiviranta was pencilled in as a 13th forward, and Kelly wasn’t even a center until training camp! Since uniting 25 games ago they’ve played the second most minutes of any trio of forwards, which is partially due to all the injuries in the top six but also clearly shows they have Bednar’s trust. They haven’t scored a goal together yet, which is actually insane, but they’ve only given up five and they’re controlling the majority of play when they’re out there - even against top competition. Keep that up, but as a fourth line please! And maybe try scoring, boys.
OUT: Goalie problems
This Wedgewood injury better not be serious because he was playing great and Mackenzie Blackwood needs the beauty rest a capable backup can provide. Trent Miner will probably come up from the Eagles again to sneak hotdogs on the bench and play in a pinch, but there cannot be any goalie issues in 2025. 2024giev was hard enough!
IN: Denvsinki, Finnorado
Bring ‘em all to Denver! Finland’s finest belong in Burgundy and Blue. Colorado leads the league in Finns and they’re all contributing a least a little bit (Jere Innala... we’ll pretend you’ve done something), and assembling the Finnvengers can only help convince Mikko to sign his inevitable extension. Mikael Granlund is a UFA trade deadline chip, just sayin’!
OUT: Losing games
Colorado’s won six straight dating back to December 2024. I say keep that going, don’t lose any games the rest of season. I think it’s worth trying and I’d like to see it.
PREDICTIONS
Last week I had the OT win on the wrong game, but I got both Ws so call me a genius and I’ll call you one too. This week I’ll go:
vs. Montreal: Wvs. Florida: L@ Chicago: W@ Minnesota: W
Season Total: 22-17
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