Valery Nichushkin’s Early Season Highlight Shows Comfort with Colorado
Valery Nichushkin, the Russian winger with the Colorado Avalanche, found the back of the net twice in a regular-season NHL game against the Chicago Blackhawks. He struck in rapid succession, scoring two goals in the first two minutes of the opening period, then added markers at the 10th and 12th minutes to help his team take control early. His setup on the first tally came from Jonathan Drouin and Nathan MacKinnon, while Mikko Rantanen and Sam Malinsky delivered assists on the second.
By halftime at United Center, the contest stood 2-2, with Nichushkin continuing to contribute to Colorado’s offense in a tightly fought battle. The two quick goals underscored his ability to seize moments and set the tone for the Avalanche’s attack in the middle of the ice and along the walls, where he creates space for teammates and finishes opportunities with precision.
Ahead of that Chicago tilt, Nichushkin had appeared in 27 games this season, posting 12 goals and 13 assists. The production signals a strong start for a player who has become a central pillar of Colorado’s offensive strategy. His blend of size, reach, and hands makes him a difficult matchup for opposing defenses, enabling line combinations to generate scoring chances from multiple angles and entry points.
Looking back to the previous season, Nichushkin played in only two NHL playoff games. The Avalanche management cited personal reasons for his absence, while media reports noted a few alcohol-related incidents linked to him. Despite that period, Nichushkin remains part of the Avalanche’s core group that helped Colorado lift the Stanley Cup in the 2021/22 season, defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning in the final series. His journey through ups and downs illustrates the resilience players often display on teams pursuing elite-level success in the league.
Across the league, other Russian players have continued to make a significant impact. Nikita Kucherov, for example, has reached a prominent position among top Russian scorers in the NHL, reflecting a broader pattern of high-impact performances by players from that nation. This trend showcases both depth of talent and the international influence shaping modern professional hockey, where skill, speed, and hockey IQ blend to produce standout seasons and memorable moments for fans and teams alike.
Citation: NHL stats and contemporary reporting