Avalanche Practice: Even In a High-Scoring Game, Brett Kulak Still Played Shutdown Defense
Brett Kulak played just over 25 minutes in the Avalanche’s 9-6 Game 1 triumph over the Minnesota Wild on Sunday. […] The post Avalanche Practice: Even In a High-Scoring Game, Brett Kulak Still Played Shutdown Defense appeared first on Colorado Hockey Now.
Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images Brett Kulak played just over 25 minutes in the Avalanche’s 9-6 Game 1 triumph over the Minnesota Wild on Sunday.
There were 15 combined goals scored, and he only managed to be on the ice for two of them. The first was the Jack Drury goal, where Logan O’Connor forechecked in the corner to force a turnover and generate a scoring opportunity that found the back of the net. The second was the Marcus Johansson tally for Minnesota, which was their first of six goals and also came in the first period.
The second and third periods each had five goals, and Kulak wasn’t on the ice for any of them. In a game where most players had to stray from their usual process, Kulak continued to do the things that make him a valuable piece of any blueline. He also has some experience in chaotic games like this.
In 2022 with the Edmonton Oilers, Kulak was involved in a 9-6 Game 1 loss to Calgary in the second round, along with an 8-6 loss to the Avalanche in the opening game of the Western Conference Final. Kulak was a +2 in both games, despite all the goals against. “I’ve been in playoff games similar to that, for sure.