Good and bad: Mikko Rantanen was everywhere in the Avalanche's 5-3 loss to Boston

DENVER – The Avalanche took far too long to find their game on Wednesday. Their attempt to erase a three-goal deficit fell short in the third period of another loss, this time 5-3 to the Boston Bruins at Ball Arena. Colorado is 0-4 for the second time in team history and first since 1998-99.

Is it time to panic? Secure. At the end of Thursday's Edmonton vs. Nashville game, Colorado could be the only team without a point in the standings in four games. But is the season lost? Not necessarily. The Avs showed signs of life against the Bruins and gave the team something to build on. At least that's how they have to see it now. Colorado hosts the Anaheim Ducks on Friday and will be looking to avoid starting a four-game homestand with an 0-5 overall record and an 0-4 record.

“There was desperation. I wanted to see, I think we all wanted to see some desperation on the team,” Josh Manson said.

This was perhaps the most physical game the Avalanche have participated in to date. Rookie Matt Stienburg dropped the gloves against a much larger Nikita Zadorov in his NHL debut. He converted a penalty on the same play that led to an Avs goal. Despite the positive impact that Stienburg had, another striker stood out more clearly.

At times his actions hurt the team. But in the end, he almost helped the Avs get the win.

The good: Mikko Rantanen

I'm of course talking about Mikko Rantanen. I thought an angry Rantanen would ignite a new level of hockey – the kind of fire that would help pull the Avalanche out of this brutal, winless start to the season.

At first it seemed to have the opposite effect, but then Rantanen prevailed with great success. He overcame some questionable attacks against him and remained a lethal weapon on the man advantage.

It all started in the second third. Rantanen was called for interference due to a collision with Brad Marchand in the Avs zone. Rantanen was called for interference and was immediately unhappy with the call. It looked like interference to me, and head coach Jared Bednar agreed the decision was the right one. But it also looked like an embellishment from the Boston captain that went uncalled for. While Rantanen was complaining to the officer, he ended up in the middle of a crowd after he and Trent Frederic were tied up.

Boston scored on that power play to take a 3-1 lead. And the very next shift, head coach Jared Bednar sent Rantanen, Nathan MacKinnon and Nikolai Kovalenko onto the ice. Would angry Mikko be let loose? No. Just 13 seconds later, Boston scored again on a well-executed screen from Alexandar Georgiev by John Beecher. 4-1.

Rantanen became the most fascinating player to watch. Thanks to Stienburg, Colorado finally got back on the power play and Rantanen set up Cale Makar for a great shot from the point that made it 4-2. In the third period, Rantanen had to give another penalty, this time for a hook on David Pastrnak. Bednar was unhappy with the penalty, calling it an innocent play in the neutral zone.

The Avs weathered the storm and converted the penalty. But Rantanen was steaming out of the penalty area. While battling aggressively in the D-zone, he was almost called for another penalty before being denied by Riley Tufte behind the Avs goal. There was initially no penalty on the play, but after Rantanen turned and stared at the official, his arm went up and the Avs were back on the PP.

It only took 23 seconds. And of course it was Rantanen who came through. He scored on a man advantage and brought the Avs within one goal early in the third period.

That was the last goal Colorado was able to score. Rantanen with a goal and two assists – all on the power play – and four shots on goal in 21:45.

Evil: Oliver Kylington

The fit just isn't there. And I wonder if John Ludvig will be back in the squad in favor of Kylington on Friday. The Avs' new defenseman has performed poorly in seemingly every way.

First of all, he doesn't seem suited to playing with Makar. But beyond that, his decision-making was also questionable. I don't think Calvin de Haan fared much better either. But if two of the three new guys have to play while Devon Toews is still out, then it has to be Ludvig and de Haan. At least for now, until Kylington develops a more consistent game.