Colorado Avalanche Must Finish 2018 with a Win
The Colorado Avalanche need to improve many of their tactics so they can finish 2018 on a high note, with a win.
The Colorado Avalanche, yes, must win tonight against the LA Kings during their traditional New Year’s Eve match. For so many reasons, Colorado needs this win tonight.
The Avalanche aren’t in a winning way right now. They’re 2-6-2 in their last 10 games, which includes a four-game losing skid. They’re coming off a 3-2 overtime loss where at least they earned a point. But they have only eight points in all of December.
They’re facing an LA Kings squad that’s… so much worse. They’re dead-last in the entire NHL. Unfortunately for the Avs, the Kings aren’t doing as poorly lately. They are coming off a 4-1 loss to Vegas, but they’re 5-3-2 in the last 10 games.
The two teams have already met once this season, a decisive 7-3 win for the Avalanche in Los Angeles. We’re hoping for some more of that to end 2018 on a high note.
How to Enjoy the Game
Game time: December 31, 6:00 pm MT
TV Networks: Alt, FS-W (Kings’ feed)
Radio: Altitude Radio (FM 92.5)
The Avalanche will be putting on an on-ice fireworks show after the game in celebration of New Year’s Eve.
Stop the Losing Skid
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As I mentioned above, the Colorado Avalanche have lost four in a row. They want to put a halt to that losing skid starting now. Well, starting two games ago, but we’ll have to take now.
Luckily for the Avalanche, they started out the season very strong. Also luckily for the Avs, the once-mighty Central Division has imploded. The Nashville Predators, who are ahead of the Avs by one point, are 3-6-1 in their last 10.
Not so luckily, the Dallas Stars are nipping at their heels. They’re just two points behind and have gone 4-6-0.
Beat Inferior Teams
Also as mentioned above, the Kings are dwelling in the basement right now. They’ve been in a tailspin since the beginning of the season. Their goal differential is -28.
And that’s exactly the kind of team the Avalanche love to lose to. They have such a bad habit of playing down to the competition. The Chicago Blackhawks and Arizona Coyotes are in similarly dire straits. Both teams beat Colorado recently — Chicago twice.
The Avs have to exhibit a killer instinct. They have to show no mercy to teams who are struggling. And they can’t take them casually — all NHL teams are comprised of NHL talent and a lucky bounce or bad call can put them in the win column.
Win at Home
The Colorado Avalanche should be dominant at home. They get to make the matchups they prefer, so the top line should go relatively unscathed for stretches of time. And they can exploit the altitude situation, especially in the third period.
Instead, the Avs are middling at home. They haven’t played in Pepsi Center as much as they’ve been on the road. But their home record is 8-5-4. That’s not good enough.
We need some home cooking tonight.
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Tonight’s game also heralds the second of a four-game home stand. They only have a point, an overtime loss, on the home stand so far. Coming up, they have the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday and the New York Rangers on Friday.
Today is a good day to collect some points, Colorado Avalanche.