Coming off a disappointing 2-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Colorado Avalanche got the rebound win they were looking for in a 5-1 smacking of the Ottawa Senators. As the season comes to a close, the opportunity to overtake the Dallas Stars for second in the Central Division is becoming thinner.
Things started well for the Avalanche in Montreal, very nearly turning catastrophic before eventually righting itself. There are a few things to talk about, so let’s get to the takeaways from the Avalanche’s 5-4 shootout win over the Montreal Canadiens.
Non-Makar Defensive Contributions
The Avalanche got deeper, and may still yet if Gabriel Landeskog can return. We’ve heard a lot about the contributions that the newcomers have made since the trade deadline, but there is value to be had in some of the smaller trades. For instance, Ryan Lindgren may be an important piece defensively for the Avalanche as the playoffs approach.
He and Sam Malinski scored in the first period for the Avalanche, but their offensive contributions are not what the team is counting on. Lindgren, in particular, was brought in to help shore up the bottom pairing that had been a problem spot for so much of the season.
Lindgren has been solid since coming over to the Avs. He has only been negative in plus/minus once, averaging just over 19 minutes of ice time while playing largely responsible hockey. The Avalanche needed confidence in their group when Cale Makar and Devon Toews aren’t on the ice, and Lindgren is providing that.
These Late Collapses Can’t Happen
Things looked in the bag when Brock Nelson scored his 23rd goal of the season with just under four minutes off the clock in the third period. But all it took was a 4:08 stretch for things to get back to even again.
The Avalanche fell apart quickly and had to hold on for dear life to just get the extra point and make it to overtime. Thankfully, they calmed down and walked away with the shootout win after getting yet another contribution from Nelson.
Sure, the Canadiens are pressing for a Wild Card spot and are playing with a sense of desperation. But as a good team and a legitimate contender, the Avalanche can’t have these things happen. They righted the ship, but giving up a 3-goal third-period lead so fast is concerning.
Brock Nelson Is Heating Up
Nelson’s addition was one of the most talked about at the trade deadline, and with good reason. It took him a few games to find his place offensively, but he has been playing very well over his last four games.
In that span, Nelson has three goals and five points, including what should have been the backbreaker against the Canadiens on Saturday. Nelson gets into the dirty areas, plays well in transition, and provides something that isn’t there in the rest of the lineup.
Regardless of what happens with the playoffs, it would behoove the Avalanche to find a way to re-sign Nelson in the offseason. He’s a proven leader, has been responsible as a two-way center, and can provide quality offense for the second line as well.
Home-Ice Is Slipping Away
Even with back-to-back wins and an 8-1-1 record over their last 10 games, the Avalanche are seeing the second seed in the Central Division slowly slip away. The Dallas Stars have an edge of three points and currently hold a pair of games in hand.
The stretch run for the Avalanche is – on paper – very manageable. Of the 11 remaining games, the Avalanche should realistically win eight of them. The Stars have a few tough games left, but will they slip enough to let the Avalanche overtake them? It will be a fun final month of the season.
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