Colorado Avalanche 3 Stars of the Week, Jan. 11

More from Mile High Sticking

The Colorado Avalanche did not make it easy to select three stars this week. So many players contributed to the team’s success this week alone as the Avalanche hop-scotched two teams in the standings — the Dallas Stars and the free-falling Minnesota Wild — to get within three points of a playoff spot.

That said, some players did really stand out. Star #3 was tough, and I almost went with veteran Jarome Iginla with his stellar performance against the Ottawa Senators. However, I went the other end of the age spectrum to…

#3: Nathan MacKinnon

At times 19-year-old Nathan MacKinnon has looked like he’s fallen victim to the dreaded sophomore slump. This week is not one of those times.

MacKinnon has historically had an easy time of scoring against the Chicago Blackhawks, and that held true for the January 6, game as well. In fact, he weighed in on both goals against the ‘Hawks, earning an assist on Max Talbot’s goal in addition to his own goal. MacKinnon also scored the game winner against the Dallas Stars — this time assisted by Talbot.

After the Stars game, MacKinnon showed some of the new poise which seems to be positively affecting the Avalanche. The team had gone down 2-0 in the first period. MacKinnon said of that fact:

"“The first period wasn’t as bad as the score looked. They only had eight shots. We didn’t want it to affect us too much. We definitely came back strong in that last 40 minutes.”"

That fresh belief in themselves is a large part of the reason the Avalanche have won the last three and gone 7-3-0 in the last 10. So much of that success is because of…

#2: Semyon Varlamov

The mantra last year was that goalie Semyon Varlamov kept the team in games. Valramov, like the rest of the team, started off a bit slow, largely because of injury, to be sure.

However, Varlamov has shown his brilliance from last year in the last three games. He’s faced a ridiculous 132 shots in that time, including 54 in the game against the Chicago Blackhawks. That particular game, by the way, was a shut out.

Avalanche goalies face a lot of shots. Everyone likes to talk about how the defense needs to tighten up so that Colorado goalies don’t have the make so many saves, but Varlamov is showing himself equal to the task.

With defensemen being encouraged, a high shots-against total is the nature of Colorado Avalanche hockey.

Speaking of defense…

#1: Erik Johnson

Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson had to be the #1 star of the week because he was the only Avs player named to the All Star game.

That’s not to say Johnson had a slack-off week. He scored two goals — including the game winner against the Ottawa Senators. With that mark, he surpassed his career best for goals. He also scored against the Dallas Stars.

Johnson had a lot of thanks to give for his fellow teammates, the coaching staff, the organization and even the fans. However, he showed his leadership when he remarked:

"“It feels really good to do it in Colorado. This is an organization that traded for me and believed in me, so it means a lot to do it here. [But] I’d trade it for being first in the Central right now.”"

First in the Central Division — doesn’t seem likely. But then, after the start to the season that the Colorado Avalanche had, it didn’t seem likely they’d be just three points out of a playoff spot at the halfway mark.

So, Avs Nation, don’t count the boys out just yet. Enjoy these three shining stars amongst the other bright spots on the team.

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