Colorado Avalanche

Ex-Maple Leafs Goalie Michael Hutchinson Unlikely Avalanche Hero

Michael Hutchinson is only playing because there’s no one else left to play. But he’s won two straight? Why is that a surprise?

by
Old Prof
September 4, 2020

If you are a Toronto Maple Leafs fan, you must be completely befuddled. Earlier this season, the Maple Leafs organization was so worried that Michael Hutchinson might have to take over for starting goalie Frederik Andersen in the playoffs that general manager Kyle Dubas traded for back-up goalie Jack Campbell.

Almost immediately after, Hutchinson was placed on waivers. He cleared them and then was traded to the Avalanche in exchange for 26-year-old defenseman Calle Rosen. That happened in February.

However, over the past month how things have changed. The Maple Leafs lost to the Columbus Blue Jackets and have left the bubble. In the meantime, Hutchinson is not only still inside the bubble, but he’s playing. And, he’s not only playing, but he’s winning and leading his team from the brink of elimination. In fact, if he wins on Friday he’ll pull his team off the edge and into the Western Conference Final.

Hutchinson: An Unlikely Playoff Hero

From almost everyone’s perspective, Hutchinson has become a most unlikely hero in this Stanley Cup playoffs. He came into the second round penciled in as Colorado’s third-string goalie; then, as things can sometimes happen, first-string Philipp Grubauer and second-string Pavel Francouz were injured. And, when David Ayres wasn’t in the bubble (he was the emergency backup goalie who helped the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Maple Leafs in late February), the Avalanche called upon Hutchinson.

When Hutchinson first saw action, his team was down 3-1 in its second-round series against the Dallas Stars. Although it’s not totally surprising because, really, anyone who plays NHL hockey has to be a good-enough player and Hutchinson had experienced success earlier in his career with the Winnipeg Jets. But, also it’s a bit of a surprise that he’s play as well as he has. In fact, he’s thrived; and, in the process, he’s helped his Avalanche team climb back into the series.

Can this be the same guy who struggled so badly earlier during the 2019-20 regular season? Hutchinson seemed to also admit his surprise, noting “The whole entire situation … is absurd and surreal.” (from “How Avs third-string goalie Michael Hutchinson became unlikeliest miracle worker in Denver sports since Tim Tebow and saved his team from NHL playoff extinction,” Mark Kiszla, The Denver Post, 03/09/20).

Hutchinson in Game 5

So Hutchinson went between in pipes for Game 5 against the Stars. Most Avalanche fans thought that, with the team facing elimination, not having its two top goalies would spell disaster. But there was little choice. When starter Philipp Grubauer was injured, things didn’t look good. Then, when it was discovered that second-stringer Pavel Francouz also had an injury, there was no choice but to play Hutchinson.

He obviously was rested. During the 2019-20 season, Hutchinson had only played 16 games between his time in Toronto and Colorado. But in Game 5 he stopped 31 of 34 shots in the team’s 6-3 win over the Stars and two of those goals were on the power play. Hutchinson’s win was made easier because the Avalanche scored five goals in the first period; and, after that, the team never looked back.

Hutchinson in Game 6

The Avalanche once again started Hutchinson for Game 6. The 30-year-old Hutchinson did what he needed to do in Game 5 and he did it again in Game 6. Game 6 was different because the team didn’t score so many quick goals, but Hutchinson only allowed a single goal and stopped 27 of the 28 shots he faced.

With each game a do-or-die and his team facing elimination, Hutchinson’s Game 5 win was a relief; but the Game 6 win was a story. He wasn’t counted on at all but was forced to play because there was no one else to put in; then, his back-to-back wins allowed the Avalanche to move to Game 7.

Hutchinson’s Story Isn’t Over

It’s been a strange season for Hutchinson, but it might get a bit stranger tomorrow. If Hutchinson can have another strong performance, there’s a chance the Avalanche will move into the Western Conference Final.

Who would have seen that coming?