Colorado Avalanche Playoff Watch: February 6, 2015

Avalanche’s operate at their full potential when they have a nice downhill trajectory. Once momentum is on the side of the avalanche, almost nothing can slow it down until it reaches the bottom of the mountain. Not even Gandalf can handle the immense power of snow falling off an ominous peak.

The bad news for the Avalanche, is the rest of the way is going to be an uphill climb. Any momentum gathered is going to be earned with sweat, hard work, and perseverance. A little luck wouldn’t hurt either.

The ultimate goal is to arrive at the playoffs. The Avalanche currently don’t occupy a spot that would earn them a ticket for an extended season, but they still have a shot. This weekly column will keep tabs on the Avalanche’s chances, as well as the teams they are fighting with.

Colorado Avalanche

Current position: 3rd in Wildcard (55 points in 52 games)

Current trajectory: Trending up

Last 10: 4-3-3

Playoff Odds: About as likely as finding unexpected cash in the dryer.

The Avalanche have been picking up points, thanks in part to their run of late game heroics. It’s going to take a healthy Tyson Barrie and Erik Johnson to shore up the defensive core down the stretch, as well as godlike play from Semyon Varlamov to make a move.

I wouldn’t count the Avalanche out. This team has guts. And it has heart. They have a big opportunity to make a statement with road games against the Wild and Jets this weekend – two teams the Avs need to outpace down the stretch.

Winnipeg Jets

Current position: 1st in Wildcard (61 points in 53 games)

Current trajectory: Holding steady

Last 10: 5-4-1

Playoff Odds: About as likely as getting honked at on your commute to work this week.

The Jets have been in the playoff picture all season. In fact, they have controlled their destiny since very early in the year. This is a roster and organization that hasn’t tasted the postseason much in their history. A defining characteristic of their season will be how they handle the pressure and expectation.

I think in some ways it’s easier to be the team doing the chasing, instead of the team being chased. The Jets will need to look in the mirror and focus on themselves. If they spend too much time looking in the rear-view mirror, they might be in trouble. The Jets have four straight against Central Division opponents. Fortunately for them, 3/4 are on home ice.

Vancouver Canucks

Current position: 2nd in Wildcard (59 points in 50 games)

Current trajectory: On the verge of slipping

Last 10: 5-5-0

Playoff Odds: About as likely as flipping a coin twice, and having it come up heads once.

The Canucks haven’t been playing their best of late, and have a tough stretch of games incoming. Vancouver plays host to the Penguins before heading on the road to take on Chicago and Minnesota. Then back home for a date with Boston, before heading up to Calgary.

The Canucks have a core who is used to being in the playoffs, but also don’t have the same depth and quality of talent they had 3 or 4 years ago.

Calgary Flames

Current position: 3rd in Pacific (61 points in 52 games)

Current trajectory: En Fuego

Last 10: 8-2

Playoff Odds: Toasty

The Flames looked like a team the Avalanche might have a shot to leapfrog a couple of weeks ago. Now the Flames are looking like they have intentions of leaving the wild-card picture in a cloud of smoke.

Calgary has really been playing quality hockey of late, and actually have the highest goal differential in the Pacific Division. These guys might just be for real. Also looking good for Calgary are their 26 ROW. This total outpaces most of their competition. In fact, only 3 teams in the conference have more regulation and OT wins than the Flames.

LA Kings

Current position: 6th in Wildcard (54 points in 51 games)

Current trajectory: Free fall

Last 10: 2-5-3

Playoff Odds: About as likely as Cliche scoring a goal on any given night

The Kings have fallen. I secretly think that they realized they weren’t going to win a Cup this season, and are tanking for a shot at the number one overall pick. Oh, the cruel irony if that were to happen.

Los Angeles seems like a team that just doesn’t have the mental edge they need to be competitive right now. I think they have always had a culture that they can turn it on when they have to, and can coast through the regular season. With the loss of a few key pieces, and the strength of the West, that formula is ripe for disaster.

Then again, they’re still the Kings. It will only take one hot stretch to get right back in the mix, which may make the Kings a smart bet. They’re hard to figure.

Dallas Stars

Current position: 5th in Wildcard (54 points in 51 games)

Current trajectory: Holding Steady

Last 10: 5-4-1

Playoff Odds: About as likely as Tyler Seguin seducing your daughter

The Stars have the talented forwards necessary to compete with anyone in the Central. Unfortunately, they are all upper body and no legs.

The Stars’ defense is one of the league’s worst, and although Kari Lehtonen is a solid goaltender, he’s not elite enough to cover up all of the mistakes the Stars make in their own zone. Dallas can keep pace in a shootout, like any true Texan should. The question mark for them is if they can win enough tight checking games down the stretch to make up ground.

Minnesota Wild

Current position: 4th in Wildcard (54 points in 50 games)

Current trajectory: Heating up

Last 10: 6-3-1

Playoff Odds: Far too likely for my taste

The Wild have rebounded nicely after hitting the skids in a major way around Christmas. As an Avalanche fan, it hurts to see Minnesota playing better hockey of late.