Colorado Avalanche Throwback: Six-Game Win Streaks

Impossible and improbable are not the same thing. Avalanche fans should be very aware of this distinction as we enter the second half of the 2014-15 season.

Are the playoffs likely for this team? Not really. 18-thousand white pom-pom waving fans, is an improbable sight at Pepsi Center this April. But, impossible? Nothing is impossible.

This brings us to our throwback – last year’s not one… not two… but three, six-game win streaks. The Avalanche enter tonight’s game at 16-16-8, and have yet to put together any substantial string of happy-dance hockey this season. Tonight, they have a chance to bust above 0.500 for the first time all season, and perhaps start their first big winning streak this season. Improbable? Maybe, but as last year’s team proved, you just have to get hot.

Let’s examine last year’s streaks, just to get a better sense of how they happened. What goes into a substantial winning streak in the NHL? What is the recipe?

Winning Streak One: Oct 2 – Oct 15, 2013

The six-game win streak began on Opening Night last season, against the Anaheim Ducks. The Avalanche buried the Ducks 6-1, and if you don’t know the details of that game, particularly Patrick Roy’s involvement, you have some catching up to do as a fan.

The Avalanche followed up that performance, with a 3-1 win over the Nashville Predators at Pepsi Center.

Then, the Avalanche took to the road for three straight. The Avs racked up wins in Toronto, Boston, and Washington by a combined score of 9-2.

The final win of the streak was a tight 3-2 victory over the Dallas Stars, and came to an end thanks to a 4-2 defeat by the Detroit Red Wings two nights later.

Total Goals For: 21

Total Goals Against: 6

Home/Road Split: 3/3

One Goal Games: 2

Overtime Games: 0

Shootout Games: 0

Winning Streak Two: Oct 19 – Nov 2, 2013

Oddly enough, the Avs sandwiched the Detroit loss, between their second six-game winning streak of the season. A visit to Buffalo netted the Avs a 4-2 victory over the lowly Buffalo Sabres. Then the Avalanche got a 1-0 victory in Pittsburgh, thanks to 34 saves from JS Giguere.

The Avalanche returned home and took care of the Carolina Hurricanes and Winnipeg Jets, 4-2 and 3-2, respectively.

The Avalanche needed an OT winner from Paul Stastny to win in Dallas 3-2, before wrapping up the winning streak with a 4-1 thumping of the Montreal Canadiens on home ice.

Total Goals For: 19

Total Goals Against: 9

Home/Road Split: 3/3

One Goal Games: 3

Overtime Games: 1

Shootout Games: 0

Winning Streak Three: Mar 25 – Apr 5, 2014

This winning streak was very much different than the first two. In this streak, the first five wins were all one-goal games. Many nights required OT or a shootout before the Avalanche took the cake.

To me, this is where things get interesting, because this proves that you don’t have to be blowing teams out every night to win six-straight games. Sometimes, you just need to be scoring timely goals, and find ways to win.

The streak began with a 5-4 shootout victory in Nashville, which was followed up with a 3-2 win in OT over Vancouver in Denver. The Avs won again at home, 3-2 over the Sharks, before requiring extra time once again for their next two wins, 3-2 victories over the Blue Jackets in OT and the Rangers in a SO.

The Avalanche capped off the win streak, with an emphatic 4-0 win over the Blues in St. Louis. This win was huge for the Avs, as it exercised their demons against St. Louis, and also tipped the Blues into a spiral that allowed the Avalanche to catch and pass them in the standings. For those still optimistic about the Avalanche reaching the playoffs, this game is an example of how seasons can have their trajectory changed in a heartbeat.

Total Goals For: 19 (plus 2 additional “goals” awarded for SO win)

Total Goals Against: 12

Home/Road Split: 3/3

One Goal Games: 5

Overtime Games: 2

Shootout Games: 2

So What?

As of right now, the Avalanche are 7 points out of a wild-card playoff position. While not ideal, they are certainly within shouting distance, especially if they can go on a couple of winning streaks.