The Avalanche have a goalie problem, and it might cost them

The Colorado Avalanche only have one clear flaw on their roster, and it was on full display in a 7-6 loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday night in Game 1 of their Western Conference first round series. 

It is the goaltending.

It is not only a weakness, it is a major problem that could end up costing an otherwise great team a legitimate chance at the Stanley Cup.

Starting goalie Alexandar Georgiev had an absolutely brutal showing in the loss, allowing seven goals on only 23 shots. That comes out to a .696 save percentage for the game, which is an unacceptable level of goaltending for a Stanley Cup playoff game.

Or any game, for that matter. 

It has to be especially concerning for the Avalanche because the play of their goaltenders was a big problem throughout the entire regular season. On a team level, they managed only a .902 save percentage for the season. That ranked 20th in the NHL and was the third-worst of the 16 playoff teams (ahead of only Toronto and Tampa Bay). 

On an individual level, Georgiev was especially bad with an .897 save percentage that ranked him among the league's worst goalies. Of the 34 goalies that appeared in at least 40 games, his save percentage was 29th in the league. 

Despite all of those numbers Colorado did nothing to address the position at the trade deadline. 

Goaltending is the one position that can swing a playoff series all on its own, and there is a very real chance that can happen in this series. It is also a huge edge for Winnipeg which boasts one of the league's best goalies in Connor Hellebuyck.

That is what has to make Sunday's game so frustrating for the Avalanche. They ended up scoring six goals on Hellebuyck and mostly carried the pace of play, out-shooting and out-chancing the Jets during the game. It still was not enough because Georgiev could not come through with a big save for them. 

You are not going to score six goals on Hellebuyck very often. Doing so in Game 1 of the playoff series and still not getting the win is the type of result that can be crushing early in a series. 

Whether it is Georgiev or turning to a backup the Avalanche are going to need more from their goalies if they are going advance.