The Avalanche lost back-to-back games against lower-seeded Central Division rivals and only scored one goal in each matchup. It was expected for teams to return a bit rusty after the long 4 Nations break, but Colorado’s losses were not because of too much rest.
Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar knows where most of his production has come from this season and knows that needs to change.
“All three of those lines — if you look through how many guys have gone 10, 12 games with just a point or two, it’s the bulk of them. They provide energy, so if you’re not going to get on the scoresheet, you definitely have to be really good at some other things, and those lines have been. That’s why we were 5-3 going into the break with some really good analytical numbers and things that were trending in the right direction,” Bednar said. “But still, you can’t just be the top line, the power play and a couple D scoring. We have to find a way to chip in a little bit more with those other lines, and they’ve done a nice job in some of those games, creating chances, but we’re gonna need a few to go in the net too in order to win some hockey games.”
10 Observations
1 – Casey Mittelstadt has improved but is still struggling to get on the board. He had a few Grade A scoring chances in both road losses but could not get one in the back of the net.
2 – The Avs have missed Valeri Nichushkin in the lineup and it has shown in their game. His return may change the team’s dynamic, but that is yet to be determined. The Russian forward is expected back sometime in the next few games but there is no definite return date.
3 – Both opposing goaltenders and Avs goaltenders played solid games but it was the lack of production that cost them four points.
4 – The team had good energy against the Nashville Predators and played well but could not find a way to win. They outshot the Preds 32-17 but it was like the puck was cursed. Maybe the guys should consider praying to the hockey gods and burn some sage around the net during warmups.
5 – Energy was high to start the game in St. Louis but they looked like they ran out of gas in the second period. The Blues kept pressure on them through the neutral zone and limited their time in the offensive zone, which wore them down. When other teams figure out how to solve them this way, they need to change up their game plan.
6 – The second line looks disconnected. The line will change when Nichushkin returns but there has to be some chemistry with whoever plays on it.
7 – The three Team Canada members looked like the quick turnaround caught up with them in St. Louis but Devon Toews scored the lone goal and Cale Makar got the assist. Nathan MacKinnon went from eight shots on goal the night before to just three the next night. Point is — there are a lot of skilled players on the team, and the workhorses shouldn’t be depended on so heavily.
8 – Bednar said he liked the Avs’ game against Nashville, despite the outcome. There were parts of the loss in St. Louis he took positives from but admitted the team dynamic has to adjust.
“It’s something that we have to understand. We’re not this high-flying, high-powered offense anymore. We have to do other things better than we have in the past,” Bednar said. “We still need to score enough goals to win — one goal or two goals in two games isn’t going to win you a whole lot.”
They had Monday off, but I expect some long meetings ahead of Tuesday’s practice.
9 – There hasn’t been a sense of unease in the locker room but something is missing. Every player knows winning teams have a sense of commitment to each other and a bond that is apparent throughout the lineup. That’s called chemistry and I’m not seeing that all the time with this group.
10 – Bednar commended his team on their work ethic in the few practices before hitting the road. He drilled them hard and they seemed to have recovered from the break. They were pumped to get back at it. Their physical game was mostly there but the universal compete mentality was not.
